Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterDuring his time at Anfield, John Arne Riise became a fan favourite, helping the club to Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup glory with his no-nonsense defending, tireless running and sledgehammer shot.But believes he wasnt working hard enough during his last season at Liverpool before his unwanted exit in 2008.I was too comfortable with my position at the club and my position in the team, he tells FFT on behalf of BetVictor Online Casino. Basically I can blame myself for not being at my highest level when it comes to putting the hard work in.'I called my agent crying, because I was so upset' Riise recalls heartbreaking end to his Liverpool careerRiise reflects on one of the hardest moments of his footballing career: the meeting in which Reds boss Rafa Benitez told him his days with the club were done.There were two games left of the season, Riise recalls. I was called up out of the blue and he just said, Its time to part ways. You may like John Carew was scarier than Craig Bellamy' Ex-Liverpool man John Arne Riise on the former teammates he infamously fell out with Fabinho shares why he chose to leave Liverpool for Al-Ittihad at age 29 Arne Slot's Liverpool send-off behaviour leaves Anfield with much to worry about this summer Get FourFourTwo's World Cup Wallchart HERE!Large A1 Football Wall Chart with Space for Scores and Predictions: Designed for easy viewing and interaction with room to write results and build predictionsView DealThe one thing I really respected was how honest he was with me. He didnt try to make it look good or to be nice, it was just dead-on, time to go. I called my agent crying, because I was so upset. But he just said, 'Listen, the clubs will be queuing up for you.'A few days afterwards, Roma came in and I went there. But it wasnt the way I wanted to leave, I had the best times of my career there, I won everything there, and we had such a great team.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Riise had been getting ready to deal with some competition in the squad in the form of Andrea Dossena, the incoming Udinese left-back who was lined up to be his replacement. But Benitez had made up his mind, and the Norwegian never got the chance to prove him wrong.Looking back today, Riise believes that he made the managers choice easier for him by resting on his laurels during the 2007/08 season.I had let myself slip in the last year, I didnt work as hard as I normally did, he says. I was too comfy.TOPICSLiverpoolPremier LeagueTom Gennoy
