Benítez delight at Riise deal
Friday, January 20, 2006
Article summary
John Arne Riise has signed a new contract with Liverpool FC, committing the Norwegian international to the Anfield club until 2009.
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'Great mentality'
Riise, whose previous deal was due to expire in 2007, has signed up for another three and a half seasons with the European champions to the delight of manager Rafael Benítez. "He is a dedicated player, very professional and has a great mentality. He has always done a good job for Liverpool, whether at left-back or in left midfield, and it's great that we can include him in our plans for the coming years," Benítez said.
Champions League hero
The 25-year-old was a hero of Liverpool's UEFA Champions League final triumph against AC Milan last May – despite being the only Reds player to miss a penalty in the shoot-out – and appeared in five of the holders' six group games during the autumn. Brought to Merseyside from AS Monaco FC in summer 2001, the former Ålesunds FK trainee has played 157 Premiership games, scoring 20 goals.
