Career in Pictures: Liverpool legend John Arne Riise

Champions League Clanger

I mean, he did love netting against Chelsea, but certainly not for The Blues…

Unfortunately for him, Riise’s last notable performance in a Reds shirt came against the London outfit in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in April 2008.

During the first leg fixture at Anfield, Dirk Kuyt gave Liverpool the lead in the 43rd minute, before Riise dropped an absolute bombshell in stoppage time, heading past his own goalkeeper in the 95th minute to gift Chelsea a priceless away goal.

Heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge, Riise kept his place in Benitez’s starting XI, but extra-time strikes from Frank Lampard (penalty) and Didier Drogba saw Chelsea advance to the 2008 Champions League final, where they eventually lost to fellow Premier League side Manchester United on penalties in Moscow, Russia.

Riise was sold to Roma that summer, after 348 appearances for Liverpool.