Riise reveals own goal agony

Liverpool defender John Arne Riise has revealed his misery at the own goal which threatens to derail his side's Champions League challenge.

Riise is still coming to terms with the impact of his blunder after he headed into his own net in the last minute of stoppage time to gift Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the semi-final first leg at Anfield.

Rafa Benitez's side face a mammoth task to reach the final now but Riise is determined to help the Reds bounce back at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.

“What can I say? 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,” he said.

“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.”

The Norway left-back, 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'.”

Riise's future at Anfield was already far from certain before his gaffe and the defender admitted his hopes of earning an extension to his current contract, which runs out next year, were hardly improved on Tuesday.

Newcastle and Aston Villa have been linked with Riise, who said: “I hope and still believe in a new contract with Liverpool.

“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.”