John Arne Riise, I wanna kno-oo-oo-ow how it all went wrong
Well at least we'll never have to hear that song again.
Everyone's (especially Blues & Mancs) favourite Norwegian left-back has finally completed his move to AS Roma and, sad to say, there aren't too many of the Anfield faithful who wouldn't have packed his bags and paid his air fare to make sure there were no-last minute glitches.
But how has it come to pass that someone who swung in (at the second attempt) one of the most important crosses in LFC history to start the miracle in Istanbul, produced (according to the boffins who measure that kind of thing) the loudest football roar ever when rocketing in the opener against Chelsea in Cardiff that same unforgettable year and notched famous goals against Everton, Manchester United and Barcelona has seen a seven-year, trophy-laden association with the club end in such a way?
It all started so well back in 2001 with a debut goal on his old stamping ground in Monaco in the Super Cup win over Bayern Munich, a slalom effort on his derby debut that inspired a 'Waltzing Matilda' homage that sadly never managed to take over from the execrable DJ Otzi effort and a free-kick against Manchester United so venomous that it would surely have caused serious damage in the Anfield Road away end had Fabien Barthez's net not halted its path.
Back then he seemed to cover every blade of grass on the pitch and was simply lethal when that left foot connected sweetly - I can remember somehow ending up wedged between two rows of seats in St James Park's vertiginous away end when an early strike of his caused mayhem before I'd quite got my bearings!
It was always felt though that he suffered from being caught between two stools - was he a full back or was he a midfielder? In the end, it was hard not reach the conclusion that he was neither solid enough positionally to be the former or inventive enough to be the latter. If anything, I always felt his lung-busting runs would be best suited to the wing-back role - but they don't seem to exist any more.
That said, his versatility was a welcome asset as the age of flexible formations and systems took hold and his can-opener of a left peg always gave the side balance when many teams had to ask right-footed players to a job on that side.
He remained criminally one-footed though - that astonishing winner in the Nou Camp apart - a handicap that was to provide a sad epitaph to his Liverpool career.
There were many high points however - crowning his first season, that also saw a cooly-taken equaliser at Highbury along with the much-lauded strikes against Everton and United, with a blistering brace against Ipswich on the last day, smartly-taken free kicks against Leverkusen and Chelsea in important cup-ties and trademark rasping drives against the likes of Arsenal, West Brom, Man City, Birmingham in the 7-0 Cup annihilation, Spurs and PSV Eindhoven amongst others.
His most impressive performance for me though was in the never-to-be-forgotten first European Cup semi against Chelsea at Anfield in 2005 when, like the other 10 heroes that night, he thundered into tackle after tackle and ran himself daft and into folklore.
Somehow as time went on these moments became fewer and farther apart. The impression started to take hold that the player himself was beginning to coast a little, not helped by the fact he was rarely under any real competition for his place. Fans of other clubs would still enthuse about him, seduced by the occasional howitzer they'd see on Match of the Day. For those watching him week in week out, the reality was somewhat different.
The (black) comedy last-minute own goal against Chelsea was perceived by many to be the final straw but the sight of him trailing Wayne Rooney round the pitch in his 90 second substitute appearance at Old Trafford on Easter Sunday before swapping shirts and then tucking it down the back of his shorts before coming over to 'salute' the away end grated with all who saw it and didn't paint a picture of someone suffering along with the rest of us on the wretched afternoon.
Better to remember the happier times though. Riise was a decent servant to the club for the majority of his time at Anfield and played his part in some of the greatest days and nights we've lived through. Few have enjoyed their successes and celebrations more, as witnessed by that incredible night in early May 2005 when everything he was wearing bar his bills ended up as sweaty souvenirs for the ecstatic Anfield crowd as Mourinho's Chelsea were beaten and Istanbul lay in wait.
It's just a shame that half-arsed last couple of years happened to tarnish the legacy of a player who won nearly all that was worth winning and helped the club re-establish itself as a European force.
* READ another view on John Arne Riise's time at Anfield from fellow ECHO blogger Luke Traynor here
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A player who is a supposed to be a professional and he can't kick with his right foot. I myself practiced for hours when I was younger with my left foot and even now at 63 I can hit a mean shot with my left. To give away an own goal because he can't kick with his right is inexcusable and cost us a place in the Final. I hope he does well with Roma or will he be LEFT behind?
You could argue that his refusal to practice with his right foot cost us #6, but then Houllier and the Spanish waiter should take the blame for not making him practice. And you could argue that the Sapnish waiter was at fault for not blooding Insua this season, who could have taken over at left back.
But I mainly blame Bellamy who cost us #6 by not hitting Riise hard enough with the golf club. Bellamy unquestionably cost us #6.
Comments like theese makes me sad to be a Liverpoolfan. JAR has always given a 100% for his team, and probably will do for many more years to come. I salute him and wish him well. Maybe he can knock out one of the other top 3 in England from the CL next year. Some of the best times with my team lately has been strongly influenced by this great player for Liverpool. Never seen or heard him complaint at all. I like this kind of players and wish we had a lot more of them.
Thank you Ben and well said. How come we have caught up with normal fans now that we only have very short memories. Maybe it was time for him to move on for a new challenge but he clearly loved being at Liverpool and gave us some fantastic performances and great goals. I will miss having him around. Good look JAR and enjoy the sunshine
I have been watching Liverpool play since I was small, me dad used to take me to Anfield everytime they played, today I live in Florida and now with the FSC (fox Soccer) I get to wear my LFC shirt with pride and go to the local English pub, and out talk, out shout out laugh and out moan anyone in there.
I am almost 50 years old, and yes!! Liverpool have had their ups and downs, the late 70s and 80s I remember so well, and now I can't pronounce some of their names but it's still LFC, and they will always be winners!!
Looking forward to the New Season.. luv yous loads lads.. M