Riise looks to stay on Merseyside - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Riise looks to stay on Merseyside

Two of Liverpool's unsettled stars have moved to commit their futures to the club ahead of Monday night's home clash with Aston Villa.

Full-back John Arne Riise has been linked with a move to Villa Park, while former Villa striker Peter Crouch is facing speculation that he is a £9million target for Portsmouth.

But Riise insists he wants a new Anfield contract, and said: "The fans know that I am very happy here. Hopefully the club will give me a new contract so that I can stay in Liverpool for many years."

He added: "It has been a weird season for me, I have played some good games and then some not at my level.

"When we get to the transfer window all the rumours start going around. It is mainly because people know I have 18 months left on my contract.

"I am in the mood to play my best football and enjoy playing. I will do my best in the second part of the season."

Striker Crouch has been at the centre of speculation over his future this season because he seems to be now considered fourth choice front man.

He has been linked with Manchester City, but said: "Everyone talks about me going to clubs. Maybe it's because I'm not playing every game.

"But at a club like Liverpool you're not going to play every game. I've come to realise that this is the case at a club like this, whereas at somewhere else maybe you would play every game.

"As for my future, I've not heard anything. No-one has approached the club and no-one has approached me. But hopefully if I get a good run of games towards the end of the season then those rumours will go away."

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