John Arne Riise has revealed that he 'cried in the car' after Rafa Benitez refused to have him reach an appearance for Liverpool.
Former Norwegian star Riise, 44, is written in Anfield-Folklore after a memorable seven-year-old Stint in the club where he made 348 performances and seven trophies.
Although he achieved some impressive performance at the club – such as their Champions League triumph from 2005 – there was one award that slid past the defender.
Riise would have wanted to reach the milestone of 350 performance for Liverpool. However, he has now revealed how Benitez got in the way and cried him in the car.
Riise spoke with Betmgm: 'I was in training and someone came down and told me the boss [Benitez] wanted to talk to me.
'With two more games of the season, I thought it could be to discuss a new contract.
“He sat down and with absolutely no warning, he told me it was best when we went our own way at the end of the season. I think with 348 matches for Liverpool for seven seasons, I deserved a bit of an explanation.
'I knew they brought in Andrea Dossena because he had told me, so I had the choice to stay and fight for my place or leave.
'We all know that when a new player comes in, they can basically be as bad if they want the first few months and they still play.
'At the age of 27 I could not run the risk of being on the couch for five months until January, so I knew what to do. He asked if I needed help to find a new club, but I didn't want his help, so I said no.
'Before I left, I asked him if it was possible to come as a sub the last two games of the season, so that I could reach 350 performances for the club. He answered flat 'no, no chance'.
'I told my teammates who, like me, were pretty confused and then I sat alone in my car and cried. I called my agent, cried to him and he assured me that he would find me a new club in a few days. It felt like I had gotten the bag. “
Last year, Riise was one of the six participants in a Norwegian Reality TV program entitled '16 Weeks of Hell '.
This was a series in which celebrities were pushed into their physical breaking point and underwent a strict diet to reverse their fitness.
Speaking before the program was broadcast, Riise – who was known for his impressive and strong physique during his playing days – expressed his reasoning to participate.
“I want to become another machine,” he told Norwegian Outlet Dagbladet. 'It has been a while since I stopped playing football, so it will be exciting to see how much of a machine I can become.
“I want to go back to my daily routines with both training and diet, push my limits, eat good food and feel good when I look in the mirror.”