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John Arne Riise was left devastated by the manner of his Liverpool departure(Image: Liverpool Echo)

John Arne Riise has recalled being reduced to tears after Rafael Benitez denied him a dignified Liverpool farewell.

However, we all know that, when a new player comes in, they can basically be as bad as they like for the first few months, and they're still going to play."

A dejected John Arne Riise walks off after what would be the final game of his decorated Liverpool career(Image: Catherine Ivill/AMA/Corbis via Getty Images)Article continues below

At 27, Riise knew he couldn't afford to be benched for months and made a tough decision.



He turned down Benitez's offer of assistance in finding a new club and was denied a chance for a couple of farewell appearances.

Riise, who would join Roma that summer, added: "He asked if I needed help finding a new club but I didn't want his help, so I said no.

Eager to reach 350 appearances for Liverpool, he asked Benitez for a chance to come on as a sub in the season's last two games.

Riise said: "He flatly replied 'no, no chance.'

"I told my team-mates who, like me, were pretty confused and then I went and sat by myself in my car and cried.

Even though he was brutally honest, he said it directly to me."

Riise respected Benitez for telling him to his face, despite feeling like he'd been sacked(Image: Daily Mirror)Article continues below

The reason behind Benitez's decision remains a mystery to Riise, who maintains a good relationship with the Spaniard despite never discovering why he was shown the door.

We have a good relationship and I've seen him plenty of times since but he has never told me why."

After three years in Italy with Roma, Riise returned to the Premier League with Fulham in 2011 before spells in Cyprus and India.