Ex-Liverpool star opens up on 'devastating' exit after Rafael Benitez chat

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has opened up on his emotional 2008 exit from Anfield ahead of the Reds' crucial Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday

John Arne Riise was moved to tears when he left Liverpool(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

John Arne Riise harbors no regrets about opting for Liverpool over Fulham, although his departure from Anfield in 2008 left him devastated. The Norwegian's two former clubs clash on Sunday as the Reds travel to Craven Cottage for a pivotal Premier League fixture.

Riise spent considerably longer at Anfield than he did with Fulham and originally had the opportunity to snub the former league champions in favour of a switch to west London. However, the defender rejected this chance to join Liverpool and admits he was thrilled with his choice.

Speaking following his eventual move to Fulham in 2011, Riise revealed: "Jean Tigana brought me to Monaco and then he wanted to bring me to Fulham.

"I was very close to signing, but I ended up with Liverpool and I do not regret my decision there because what I've experienced and the games I played in. When you're 20 years old and Liverpool want you to play for them, it's quite an easy decision there and then."

During his Liverpool stint, the left-back clocked up 348 appearances and claimed numerous major honours, including the Champions League triumph in the 2004/05 season.

He eventually left for Roma after seven campaigns with the Reds, a move he later came to rue. Looking back on the transfer in his personal blog in 2015, Riise admitted: "I must admit that I should have stayed. [..] because I know I would have taken the place from [Andrea] Dossena."

Riise disclosed that former boss Rafa Benitez had informed him of Liverpool's intention to recruit a new left-back, meaning he would be stripped of his first-team status.

This discussion occurred merely days following Riise's notorious own goal against Chelsea in the Champions League semi-final.

Nevertheless, the former Liverpool star doesn't believe this error was the reason behind his relegation and eventual departure. Riise commented: "I honestly think that the own goal didn't affect Rafa's decision.

Riise admits his Anfield exit was a big regret(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

"Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm 100% sure that the own goal wasn't the main reason. Yes, I was devastated about the own goal, I was crying at home and I didn't talk to anyone for days. I knew I let all my teammates down and especially the fans.

"I left the office with a lot of respect for Rafa. The only thing I wish he did earlier was telling me how I stood within the team, and what I needed to do to remain first choice.

"If he as my manager told me I needed to step it up, I would have done everything in my power to do so. I was blind and didn't see it. But I love Rafa, he gave me the best night of my life in Istanbul, he showed me a lot of confidence in my time with him. I learned so much from him. He was a great manager for me and my career."

Riise's exit from Liverpool was equally emotional, as he explained to talkSPORT how he was summoned for the crucial meeting. He recalled: "I was in training and someone came and called down to the dressing room to say the boss wants to talk to you.

"We had two games left of the season and I had one year left, so I thought it was a contract extension. I sat down and I had no idea. He said 'I think it's time for us to go our separate ways'. I'm thinking I've been here for seven seasons and won everything so why?"

"I knew there were stories that we were signing a new left back and he told me that Andrea Dossena was coming. He gave me the choice that I could stay and fight. But the new player coming in, I'm not going to get a chance for four or five months.

"I asked him that I've got 348 games, can I come on as a sub in the last two to get 350. No chance. I went to the dressing room and the guys asked me what happened and I said, 'I'm done'.

"I went to the car, cried a little bit by myself. Called my agent, cried to him. It was such a shock as I'd been there for seven seasons. My agent said, 'Don't worry, we'll have a new club for you in a few days.'"