Riise: My hopeless right foot is ‘close to dead’

JOHN ARNE Riise has admitted that he is ‘hopeless’ with his right foot and cannot do much more on it than just stand.

The Norwegian is in line to replace the injured Fabio Aurelio for this week’s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea after his last-minute own goal gave the Blues a huge advantage going into the tie.

Riise was criticised for his decision to head Salomon Kalou’s low cross rather than attempt a clearance with his right foot. His header flew into Pepe Reina’s top corner to gift Chelsea a vital away goal.

It has since emerged that Riise, who was devastated after the Anfield tie, has always struggled with his right foot, despite a training regime as a teenager in Ålesund that began at 6.00am.

“There wouldn’t be a John Arne Riise out there on the football pitch if I didn’t have my left foot,” he admitted in an interview with a Swedish tv station that aired last year.

“My right foot is close to dead. I stand on it but that is about it. I am pleased I have my left foot. Every coach I have had has tried to make me improve my right foot but it is hopeless.”

The 27-year-old has vowed to bounce back and make up for his mistake in the return game against Chelsea.

“I decided to stoop and head the ball but it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet and it slid right off my forehead, he explained to VG last week. “I’m going to learn from this and I’ve got my head back in place now.”

Riise’s international coach Age Hareide sent him a supportive text message after the match, and insisted that the player should forget about it and focus on the next match.

“He has to concentrate on the fact that Liverpool can still beat Chelsea in London,” said Hareide.

“I don’t think it will affect him though. The most important thing is not to dwell on it. It is important that this does not live with him for a long time.”