JOHN ARNE RIISE revealed his craving for a new challenge prompted his switch from the Premier League to Italy.
The Norwegian completed his £4million move to Roma from Liverpool despite a number of clubs lining up to offer him the chance to stay in England.
Anfield manager Rafael Benitez was considering using Riise as a makeweight in a further bid to make up the £18m Aston Villa want for Gareth Barry, with manager Martin O’Neill in the market for a left-back.
But Liverpool decided to cash in on Roma’s firm offer after Riise met with Italian officials and expressed his desire to join them on a four-year deal.
And the 27-year-old, who spent seven seasons on Merseyside after signing from Monaco, said the advice of Norwegian team-mate John Carew – who had a successful spell on loan with Roma earlier in his career – was central to him choosing Serie A.
“I wanted a new experience and to get to know a new type of football,” said Riise.
“I chose Roma because they are a great club with great fans and they won the Coppa Italia.
“I spoke to John and he said good things about the atmosphere.
“But I have only just arrived and I immediately feel at home. The city is very beautiful and the weather is splendid.”
Riise added: “I met the coach and I will listen to him and try to give my best. The passion of Luciano Spalletti struck me and now I will try and learn Italian so that I can get to work.
“Roma have experienced players. I know Ludovic Giuly from my time at Monaco where we played together and Francesco Totti is a phenomenon.”
Riise departed Liverpool on a low note – his last game was the Champions League semi-final which Chelsea won 4-3 on aggregate after Riise’s injury time own goal had given them a 1-1 draw in the first leg at Anfield.
But fellow defender Jamie Carragher was keen to emphasise that such an ignominious end shouldn’t overshadow Riise’s overall achievements.
He made 347 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals, and was a key member of the side that won the Champions League in 2005 and FA Cup in 2006.
“He can be very proud of what he’s achieved with Liverpool,” said Carragher. “John has been a great player for Liverpool for six or seven seasons now. He has played nearly 350 games and scored a lot of goals.
“He won the Champions League with us and he’s still at a good age.
“He’s played at a very high level for a long time now. He’s never injured and he’s a great professional who has always looked after himself.”
Chief executive Rick Parry also paid tribute to the departing Riise, who had a reputation for ferocious shooting and spectacular goals. Parry said: “John has been a tremendous servant to Liverpool over many years and has played a key role in all of our recent triumphs.
“Everybody at Anfield would now like to wish him all the best in his new career in Italy.”
Highs and lows of full-back’s rollercoaster ride at Anfield
HIGHS
June 2001 – joins Liverpool from Monaco for £4.6million.
August 2001 – Returns to Monaco to score first Liverpool goal in 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in European Super Cup final.
September 2001 – Hits first Premier League goal in Merseyside derby win over Everton at Goodison Park a week before his 21st birthday.
November 2001 – Ensures his left foot is already the stuff of legend with a stunning free-kick to set Liverpool on their way to a 3-1 win over Manchester United at Anfield.
May 2002 – Scores twice in 5-0 win over Ipswich that ensures Liverpool finish as Premier League runners-up.
March 2003 – Wins first domestic trophy as part of the side that beats United 2-0 in the Carling Cup final.
April 2006 – Scores against Chelsea again as Liverpool go on to win their FA Cup semi-final meeting at Old Trafford.
August 2006 – Another goal against Chelsea, this time sealing a 2-1 Charity Shield success.
February 2007 – Scores winner in Champions League last 16 first leg tie against Barcelona in Nou Camp.
April 2007 – Scores spec-tacular goal against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League quarter-final first leg to help Liverpool to a 3-0 away lead.
LOWS
2003-04 – Season interrupted by injury and he fails to score.
February 2005 – Scores in first minute of Carling Cup final but Liverpool go on to lose 3-2 to Chelsea.
May 2005 – Misses penalty in shoot-out against AC Milan in the Champions League final – but Liverpool go on to win their fifth European Cup in Istanbul.
February 2007 – Involved in infamous ‘golf club’ incident with Craig Bellamy in Portugal.
April 2008 – The only time Riise finds the net all season, scoring a calamitous injury-time own goal to give Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the Champions League semi-final first leg. Chelsea go on to win 3-2 in the second leg and Riise plays what turns out to be his last game for Liverpool.
June 2008 – Sold to Roma for £4m.
