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John Arne Riise has revealed his misery at the own goal that threatens to derail Liverpool's Champions League challenge. The Norwegian defender is still coming to terms with heading into his own net in the last minute of stoppage time, gifting Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the semi-final first leg at Anfield.
"What can I say?" Riise said. "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.
"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."
Riise, who also scored an own goal against Luton in the FA Cup this season, was so down he didn'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.'"
The defender's future at Anfield was far from certain before his mistake and he admitted his hopes of earning an extension to his current contract, which runs out next year, were hardly improved. "I hope and still believe in a new contract with Liverpool," he said. "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."
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Mistakes happen, Liverpool can still beat Chelsea and reach the final!
If Riise doesn't get offered a new contract, which will be Liverpools loss, I hope he'll get an offer from Spurs.
Whatever, let's hope the 2nd leg is as good as the 1st!
Terry, Bagneres, France