Riise couldn’t play against Liverpool

John Arne Riise has declared that he left the country so as to avoid playing Liverpool in domestic competition. The Norwegian found himself out of favor last season as Fabio Aurelio took his left back spot, and the purchase of Andrea Dossena only further pushed him down the pecking order.

Free to move, Riise chose AS Roma, despite offers from Premier League clubs.

“There was no way I was going to be comfortable playing for another English club and I had plenty of offers from other clubs in the Premier League,” he said according to Liverpoolfc.tv.

“I didn’t have to leave, I didn’t want to at the start because I had another year left, but I did want to be playing regularly and I didn’t feel that would happen this season if I had stayed.”

Riise is preparing for an international friendly against the Republic of Ireland, and further explained why he felt he needed to leave.

“A change of environment could be good for my career and I felt it was right to look at another country,” he said.

“I just wish I had the chance to say goodbye to the Liverpool supporters because I wanted to show what they meant to me. They were fantastic throughout my time at the club. Hopefully I will go back one day and do it.

“Liverpool is in my heart because I enjoyed the best moment of my career there, winning the Champions League, but when you are at a club like that you know something is always going to happen.

“They are always looking for the best players so there is someone new challenging you.”

Riise’s Liverpool career will probably be remembered for the own goal he scored for Chelsea in the Champion’s League semifinal that put the London club in the driving seat for the second match.