Riise vows to bounce back
24 Apr 2008 - 12:08:43
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- Riise vows to bounce back
Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has vowed to bounce back from his Champions League own goal nightmare.
The Norway international diverted a stoppage time cross into the back of his own net in Tuesday's 1-1 semi-final second leg draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
The late goal handed Chelsea the initiative in the two-legged tie, but Riise claims he will return stronger for the disappointment that left Anfield shell-shocked.
"I've learned it's the way you hit back that matters," he told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang.
"Mentally, I am the best. I've got my head back in place after a heavy night. I'm going to learn from this."
Substitute Riise's disastrous own goal cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener for the Reds.
He explained: "I decided to stoop and head the ball in the direction it came from.
"But it was a swerving cross, the ball was wet, and it slid right off my forehead. It was a shock to see it lying in the goal."