Liverpool Football Club News

• Nickname:Reds
• Founded:1892
• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

• Ground:Anfield
• Capacity:45,362

Riise to fight for Reds place

06 Feb 2008 - 13:44:05

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Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has pledged to fight for his first-team place after falling out of favour in recent weeks.

The Norway international has failed to make the 16-man squad for the Reds' last two games against West Ham United and Sunderland.

The 27-year-old could return for the weekend clash with Chelsea with fellow left-backs Fabio Aurelio and Alvaro Arbeloa absent through injury and Riise has vowed to win back his place in manager Rafael Benitez's first-team plans.

"It is disappointing not to be playing the last few games but everyone knows what the boss is thinking," he told the club's official website.

"He likes to rotate his team and the squad. I don't like not playing but I understand he likes to rotate.

"He has opted to field Aurelio who has got some matches now. That is no problem with me.

"I want to stay with Liverpool for the rest of my career if possible. I've always said that and I hope it can happen, but I have to play good and keeping playing good for years to come.

"At the moment I am happy and looking forward to the rest of the season because we can do some good stuff."