Riise rules out Villa move
13 Nov 2007 - 09:14:31
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- Riise rules out Villa move
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has admitted that his form has been poor so far this season but insists he has no intention of leaving the club in the January transfer window.
Riise has been a regular in Rafa Benitez's side this term but that has not stopped rumours circulating linking the Norway international with a move to Aston Villa.
However, Riise told the Reds' official website: "I was happy with my performances in pre-season, but when the season started I felt I wasn't reaching my true level.
"I've noticed the fans haven't been too happy with my form and rightly so.
"I'm my own biggest critic and I know when I haven't performed well. Now I think I'm getting my sharpness back and hopefully returning to my real level.
"There was a story about me moving to Aston Villa in January.
"I was away with the national team at the time and Liverpool are quite big in Norway so a lot of people were asking me about it. But it's completely false.
"I have 18 months left on my contract here and have no intention of leaving. Liverpool is the club closest to my heart and it's where I belong.
"If it wasn't for Liverpool I wouldn't be the player I am today and there is no chance that I'm going to ask for a transfer. I want to finish my career here and hopefully I can do that."
The 27-year-old has scored 31 goals in more than 300 appearances for Liverpool since arriving at Anfield from AS Monaco in the summer of 2001.