Premiership: Riise agent to assure Houllier

John Arne Riise’s agent will contact Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier to assure him the defender is committed to the Anfield club.

Einar Baardsen is keen to clear the air after reports linking Riise to Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.

‘‘There was a report in the Spanish press that Real Madrid are interested in John Arne,’’ Baardsen told Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet.

‘‘That story was picked up by the English press, and then a representative from Barcelona called me up to check if there was any truth in it.

‘‘He also said they would consider buying Riise.

‘‘I told Barcelona that John Arne loved Liverpool and that he had been having the time of his life at the club.

‘‘He wants to stay there, and Liverpool know that.’’