Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has revealed his agony over scoring the own goal which threatens to scupper his side’s Champions League challenge.
Riise headed into his own net in the last minute of stoppage time to gift Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the semi-final first leg at Anfield.
“What can I say? I’m ashamed and devastated. Sometimes you experience these things and for defenders it happens from time to time. Now it has happened to me,” he said.
“I know how strong I am mentally, and what really matters is how you recover. I’ve experienced tougher things and I know I will learn from this.
“I’m disappointed, but I won’t go around and hang my head. I have to use this as something positive.”
The Norway left-back was so upset that he couldn’t even speak to his brother in the aftermath of Tuesday’s match.
Bjorn Helge Riise, who plays for Lillestrom, said: “I tried getting in contact with John Arne after the game.
“Eventually he sent me back a text message saying, ‘I don’t want to speak. I’m so disappointed. Give me a call back in a couple of days and we’ll speak then’.”
Riise’s said that despite his last gasp blunder, he still hoped to sign a new deal with the Reds.
“I hope and still believe in a new contract with Liverpool,” he added.
“But I cannot say definitely that I have a future here when I only have one year left of my deal and haven’t heard anything from the club yet.”
