Rafa sets Riise challenge

Reds boss wants defender to become Euro hero

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 24th April 2008

john arne riise liverpool v chelsea

Riise: Distraught

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Rafa Benitez has challenged John Arne Riise to score the winner for Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

The Reds head to Chelsea for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League showdown next Wednesday as underdogs after a 1-1 draw at Anfield, but know that they are capable of securing a victory.

Norwegian international Riise put through his own net in the dying seconds of the first meeting between the two sides, and is well aware that his mistake could cost his club a place in their third final in four years.

However, Benitez wants the defender to put the incident behind him and instead concentrate on rectifying his error during the crunch encounter next week, especially as he is likely to be handed a starting role in the game following Fabio Aurelio's injury on Tuesday.

Solution

"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," the Spaniard said.

"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."

Opportunity

Riise does have a reputation for spectacular strikes, but has failed to find the target in over a year and Benitez acknowledges that the defender has seen his confidence shattered of late.

"He is really down, but the only way to change the situation is to score in the right net at Stamford Bridge," he added.

"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.

Analysis

"He has played so well for this club, so for that to happen in the last seconds is the worst thing possible.

"We have tried to analyse what happened. (Javier) Mascherano and Arbeloa could have stopped the cross, but when you are left-footed like John, the problem was whether he used his right foot to clear.

"That was the problem."