JOHN ARNE RIISE has vowed to fight to extend his Liverpool career despite admitting his form has been below standard this season.
Although now having only 18 months to run on his present agreement, Riise was not among a clutch of players offered a new deal during the summer.
It has prompted suggestions of a move away from Anfield for the 27-year-old, with Aston Villa having been linked with a possible offer when the transfer window opens in January.
But Riise has reiterated his desire to stay at Liverpool for the remainder of his playing days.
“There was a story about me moving to Aston Villa in January,” said the Norwegian.
“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.”
Riise, though, has come in for criticism from supporters following a series of indifferent displays, and said: “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.”
Benitez wanted to sign Gabriel Heinze in the close season to increase the competition at left-back, and is likely to move for defensive reinforcements in the New Year.
But Riise added: “If the manager wants to bring in someone to compete for my position it means I’ve got to perform even better.
“I wasn’t afraid of the challenge.
“I just knew that I had to do well in pre-season and keep that going. I wasn’t going to hide or give up because he was coming here.
“It’s my position and it would have been up to him to try and take it.”
Meanwhile, Benitez admits to being grateful that Fernando Torres has not been called up by Spain during the forthcoming international break, allowing the striker to instead work on his fitness.
Torres returned to action after a groin injury by scoring in the victory against Fulham on Saturday, but is not required by his country for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Sweden and Northern Ireland.
And Benitez said: “I’m not surprised he isn’t in the squad because he has been injured.
“I’m pleased with the decision because it means he can stay with us and train and be ready for the next game.
“After a month without playing it’s important he can work with us.”
Another Liverpool star who will be missing for his country during the next fortnight is Yossi Benayoun.
The Israeli midfielder suffered an adductor tear towards the end of the victory against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday and is expected to be out for three weeks.
It means Benayoun misses his country’s home Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia on Saturday, where an away win would all but end England’s hopes of reaching the finals.
But the player claims he is more interested in getting fit for Liverpool than helping Steve McClaren’s side qualify.
“Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been driving me crazy in the last few weeks,” said Benayoun. “But my health is more important than England’s needs and I must rest and take care of myself.”
Although now having only 18 months to run on his present agreement, Riise was not among a clutch of players offered a new deal during the summer.
It has prompted suggestions of a move away from Anfield for the 27-year-old, with Aston Villa having been linked with a possible offer when the transfer window opens in January.
But Riise has reiterated his desire to stay at Liverpool for the remainder of his playing days.
“There was a story about me moving to Aston Villa in January,” said the Norwegian.
“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.”
Riise, though, has come in for criticism from supporters following a series of indifferent displays, and said: “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.”
Benitez wanted to sign Gabriel Heinze in the close season to increase the competition at left-back, and is likely to move for defensive reinforcements in the New Year.
But Riise added: “If the manager wants to bring in someone to compete for my position it means I’ve got to perform even better.
“I wasn’t afraid of the challenge.
“I just knew that I had to do well in pre-season and keep that going. I wasn’t going to hide or give up because he was coming here.
“It’s my position and it would have been up to him to try and take it.”
Meanwhile, Benitez admits to being grateful that Fernando Torres has not been called up by Spain during the forthcoming international break, allowing the striker to instead work on his fitness.
Torres returned to action after a groin injury by scoring in the victory against Fulham on Saturday, but is not required by his country for the Euro 2008 qualifiers against Sweden and Northern Ireland.
And Benitez said: “I’m not surprised he isn’t in the squad because he has been injured.
“I’m pleased with the decision because it means he can stay with us and train and be ready for the next game.
“After a month without playing it’s important he can work with us.”
Another Liverpool star who will be missing for his country during the next fortnight is Yossi Benayoun.
The Israeli midfielder suffered an adductor tear towards the end of the victory against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday and is expected to be out for three weeks.
It means Benayoun misses his country’s home Euro 2008 qualifier with Russia on Saturday, where an away win would all but end England’s hopes of reaching the finals.
But the player claims he is more interested in getting fit for Liverpool than helping Steve McClaren’s side qualify.
“Steven Gerrard and Peter Crouch have been driving me crazy in the last few weeks,” said Benayoun. “But my health is more important than England’s needs and I must rest and take care of myself.”
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