JAR: Appreciation for one of the clubs longest serving players

[Randy Marsh]

 

RIISE TRANSFER LATEST

Paul Eaton 18 June 2008

Liverpool are awaiting completion of the necessary paperwork before officially announcing John Arne Riise's transfer to AS Roma.

Riise arrived in the Italian capital on Wednesday and held talks with the Serie A side, who have since announced he has signed on a four year deal.

 

Stay tuned to Liverpoolfc.tv for more news as it unfolds

 

 

 

BBC Sport

AS Roma sign Riise from Liverpool

 

After seven years at Liverpool, Riise had a difficult season with the club

Italian Serie A club AS Roma have signed Norway defender John Arne Riise from Liverpool for £4m.

 

According to Roma's website, the 27-year-old has signed a four-year deal after Liverpool had given them permission to discuss personal terms.

 

Left-back Riise signed for Liverpool in 2001 and helped them to the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League titles.

 

Roma, who will play in the Champions League next season, have been targeting the versatile Norwegian for some time.

 

Riise, who notched up over 300 appearances for Liverpool after moving to Anfield from Monaco in 2001, played second fiddle to Fabio Aurelio for much of last season after the Brazilian established himself as the club's first choice left-back.

 

When Aurelio came off injured during last season's Champions semi-final first leg against Chelsea, Riise replaced him only to score an own goal in stoppage time.

 

Last year, Riise was involved in an infamous spat with former team-mate Craig Bellamy after a karaoke night on a team bonding trip to Portugal.

 

Bellamy was fined £80,000 by the club for his involvement and stated he had "lost control".

 

 

Right, now its confirmed that John is off i think its about time people put aside recent troubles and gave one of our longest serving players a bit of gratitude for his largely fantastic service which he has gave to the club.

 

Yes, his past season and a half has been poor. But largely before then he has been a key player for us, and who can forget his part in 2005. He started the move which lead to Garcia's goal v Chelsea. One accusation you can never level at the lad is that he wasnt arsed. He clearly loved the club and had pride in the shirt. He scored some stunning goals, and was a part of one of our strongest ever defensive units. My stand out memory of his time has to be being on the Kop the day he scored THAT free kick against the mancs.

 

So, John Arne Riise, thank you for 7years off great service, and all the best at AS Roma.

[Stouffer]

He's been a good servant, hope he does well.

[thisisanfield]

Good luck John Arne Riise.

[Woo]

All the best JAR. He will do well in Serie A.

[Christianlfc]

The style of game over there might suit him more. I wish him all the best.

[odris]

To be honest when i first opened this thread the first thing i did was CTRL+F and searched the £ symbol to see how much we got for him.

[Brownie]

I'm glad he's leaving, that's all i'll say.

[hamstrung]

RIP YNWA etc

[StevieH]

Goodness Gracious Me.

 

[odris]

Goodness Gracious Me.

 

 

We lived off that freekick for to long, everytime we played the mancs i used to want him to take the freekicks but nothing ever came close.

[drewy]

I'm glad he's leaving, that's all i'll say.

 

And me.

[StevieH]

We lived off that freekick for to long, everytime we played the mancs i used to want him to take the freekicks but nothing ever came close.

 

Another memorable Riise free kick v Man Yoo.

 

[RedKnight]

And me.

 

And me.

[Randy Marsh]

No one is saying it isnt the right time for him to leave. He has stagnated in recent seasons and looked well out of his depth. But i think his service before the slump needs to be acknowledged. Behind Carra, Sami and Stevie he was our 4th longest serving player. Deserves a bit of recognition for that IMO.

[Unrighteous]

Good servant for many years. Too bad he declined the last few years.

[lfc4eva99]

Goodness Gracious Me.

 

 

Will never forget this, hope he finds his old self in Rome and scores a few scorchers...

[RedKnight]

Almost £4mill is brilliant business. Best of luck to him.

[the walsh]

thank you for the meomries but time to go gone backwards the last few seasons never forget that free kick against the mancs

[StevieH]

[23 Carra Gold]

should have been sold 2 or 3 seasons ago but wish him all the best

[Dirk]

*does the moonwalk*

[Rashid]

Good luck, I don't wish ill on anyone and do hope he does well. But he was one of my least favourite players due to his roboticness.

[cochcaer]

Must admit my first thoughts were 'how much?'

 

Hope he gets on well at his new club.

[Kurt]

I'm glad he's leaving, that's all i'll say.

 

You could have said nothing. This was a thread for appreciating the good moments he`s given us. He`s been given loads of abuse, but now he`s gone there`s no need.

 

It`s time for him to leave as he has`nt played good enough the last two seasons, but he`s given us more than enough to deserve some respect.

 

YouTube - FA Cup Semi 2006 - Riise v Chelsea

 

 

YouTube - Community Shield- Chelsea vs Liverpool- Riise 0-1

[drewy]

I've just won a fiver off my bird.

 

I showed her this thread and bet her some lad called Rash would post on it and mention the phrase 'Robotic' or words to that effect.