Riise confident of cup glory
John Arne Riise is a rarity in Liverpool’s ranks. He has scored a goal against Chelsea even Jose Mourinho would find hard to claim did not cross the line.
The Norwegian’s thunderous drive in the Carling Cup Final in Cardiff last season almost uprooted the Millennium Stadium net.
For his part, Riise would concede that Liverpool have not had too much joy against Chelsea in nine previous matches in the last 18 months since Mourinho took over at Stamford Bridge and Rafael Benitez at Anfield.
But the versatile Riise believes Liverpool can end Chelsea’s hopes of a league and cup double when the two sides meet at Old Trafford on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals.
“I am confident before every game, but especially so now,” Riise said. “The team is looking good and I think the manager is doing a great job with the players.
“Rafa knows exactly what he wants from his team and he manages to get this message across onto the pitch. All the players are more confident playing now.
“We don’t think we are going to concede many goals because we are so strong at the back and up front we are scoring goals as well now.”
Liverpool will need all of that organisation and spirit to stop Chelsea’s relentless march towards the double, with the league title just a point away.
Mourinho has won five and drawn three of his nine meetings with Liverpool, and the Reds have not beaten Chelsea in the FA Cup for 20 years.
“I think Mourinho has everything under control,” Riise admitted. “The double is a possibility for Chelsea and with the title virtually in the bag he’ll be looking at this game as a very big one for his team.
“It’s a shame that two big clubs like us and Chelsea have to meet in the semi-final. It’s a game that would have graced the final but that was not to be and we just have to get past them now in order to reach Cardiff.”
Since joining Liverpool from Monaco during the summer of 2002, Riise has not enjoyed the best of fortunes in the FA Cup.
Saturday’s game will be his first experience of a semi-final and it is a prospect he’s relishing.
“I said before the start of this season that I really wanted the team to do well in the FA Cup because since I’ve been here we haven’t gone far in the competition.
“It’s the most famous cup in the world. Back in Norway it’s a massive competition, everyone watches it and it will be a good experience to play in the semi-final against Chelsea.”
This time last year Liverpool and Chelsea were preparing for a semi-final duel in the Champions League. It was a tie which memorably went the way of Liverpool and Riise is obviously hoping for the same outcome this time around.
He added: “The semi-final against Chelsea in the Champions League was a big game to play in. It was great to win that one and hopefully we can do it again. It’s going to be another good clash.”
