Liverpool's John Arne Riise has spoken for the first time about his last-gasp own goal against Chelsea.
The Norwegian full-back headed into his own net in the 95th minute of Tuesday night's semi-final first leg at Anfield, handing the Blues a priceless 1-1 draw.
"What can I say? I decided to stoop and head the ball in the direction it came from," said Riise.
But it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet, and it slid right off my forehead. It was a shock to see it lying in the goal.
"These things happen for defenders from time to time. I know how strong I am mentally and I will handle this and I will come back from an own goal like that.
"I have been involved in tougher things in my life than this and I know that I will handle this in a good way. I will try to turn this around to something positive."
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "I have talked with John, and told him not to keep thinking about the own goal all of the time. He must come back and be ready."
Benitez also confirmed left-back Fabio Aurelio will be out injured for three weeks.
Riise came on as a second-half substitute for Aurelio on Tuesday and has now virtually been told he will play at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.
Aurelio has a torn abductor muscle, and Benitez said: "He will be back in time for the final!"
"Fabio will be out for three weeks, so Riise knows he has to be ready and give everything for us. The best solution would be for him to score at Stamford Bridge... in the right goal.
"If Riise scores the winning goal then that will be perfect for us."
Netting at Stamford Bridge will be no mean feat for Riise, whose reputation for scoring spectacular goals has been hit by a drought going back more than a year.
Benitez added: "He is really down, but the only way to change the situation is to score in the right net at Stamford Bridge. He knows that Fabio is injured, so he knows he will get his opportunities to play.
"He has scored lots of goals over a long time, and played a lot of matches for this club, so I am really disappointed for anyone but especially for him.
"He has played so well for this club, so for that to happen in the last seconds is the worst thing possible."
The Norwegian full-back headed into his own net in the 95th minute of Tuesday night's semi-final first leg at Anfield, handing the Blues a priceless 1-1 draw.
"What can I say? I decided to stoop and head the ball in the direction it came from," said Riise.
But it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet, and it slid right off my forehead. It was a shock to see it lying in the goal.
"These things happen for defenders from time to time. I know how strong I am mentally and I will handle this and I will come back from an own goal like that.
"I have been involved in tougher things in my life than this and I know that I will handle this in a good way. I will try to turn this around to something positive."
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez said: "I have talked with John, and told him not to keep thinking about the own goal all of the time. He must come back and be ready."
Benitez also confirmed left-back Fabio Aurelio will be out injured for three weeks.
Riise came on as a second-half substitute for Aurelio on Tuesday and has now virtually been told he will play at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.
Aurelio has a torn abductor muscle, and Benitez said: "He will be back in time for the final!"
"Fabio will be out for three weeks, so Riise knows he has to be ready and give everything for us. The best solution would be for him to score at Stamford Bridge... in the right goal.
"If Riise scores the winning goal then that will be perfect for us."
Netting at Stamford Bridge will be no mean feat for Riise, whose reputation for scoring spectacular goals has been hit by a drought going back more than a year.
Benitez added: "He is really down, but the only way to change the situation is to score in the right net at Stamford Bridge. He knows that Fabio is injured, so he knows he will get his opportunities to play.
"He has scored lots of goals over a long time, and played a lot of matches for this club, so I am really disappointed for anyone but especially for him.
"He has played so well for this club, so for that to happen in the last seconds is the worst thing possible."
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