Thursday, June 19, 2008

Riise Ends His Anfield Career

John Arne Riise’s Liverpool career finally came to an end last night when Roma confirmed his signing.

The Norwegian left-back was in Italy for talks yesterday and agreed personal terms to complete the move on a four-year deal worth £2.2million.

Liverpool had looked set to recoup the £4.6m they paid Monaco for him in 2001 but the clubs reached a compromise on the player’s valuation, which was revealed as just short of £4m by the Italian club.

A Roma statement said: “AS Roma announce they have reached an agreement with Liverpool Football Club for the acquisition of the sporting rights of the player John Arne Riise with effect from July 1 2008.”

The departure of Riise, 27, had been inevitable since the second half of last season when a loss of form saw him lose his place to Fabio Aurelio.

And Rafael Benitez’s pursuit of Andrea Dossena, whose arrival from Udinese is imminent, also indicated that Riise’s days were numbered.

The Liverpool manager has been hoping for the right price for the player and will use the money to fund summer squad strengthening – but he needs to see more moves materialise that will boost his transfer kitty.

No fee has yet been agreed for Xabi Alonso as Juventus ponder their offer for the midfielder, and that saga won’t be resolved before the end of Spain’s involvement in Euro 2008.

Portsmouth are still weighing up an offer for Peter Crouch but Liverpool will expect in the region of £10m for the England international striker.

They will also listen to offers for Scott Carson following his return from a season’s loan at Aston Villa – whose holding out for at least £18m for Gareth Barry is central to Benitez’s desire to offload his players at the right price.

Carson’s need for first team football is likely to lead to Benitez also having to search for a reliable second-choice goalkeeper to back up Pepe Reina.

Maik Taylor was one target but the Northern Ireland international revealed why he snubbed Anfield to sign a new contract with relegated Birmingham City.

“With an offer on the table from the club, it was always going to be the case that I would stay really,” Taylor said.

“It was flattering that Liverpool showed a lot of interest and of course I gave it serious consideration.

“Liverpool could offer the Champions League and everything else, but it would have been a situation as a number two and a year’s contract as well.

“Scott Carson has gone back there now as well. There was talk of him going to Villa after his loan, but that has not materialised.

“I still have a big desire to play and, as long as I keep my form and fitness, that’s more likely here.”

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