John Arne Riise has had his say on the infamous ‘golf club incident’ involving him and Craig Bellamy.
Riise, who was a fan favourite at Liverpool during his time at the club, has set the record straight on what really happened once and for all.
The Norwegian also talked to us about whether he would shake Bellamy’s hand if he saw him now, and gave his take on who the best striker he played with at Liverpool between Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres and Michael Owen.
The Golf Club Incident With Craig Bellamy
I don't think what happened with Craig Bellamy should have happened between two teammates, but it can happen when you are not in a good place in your life mixed with alcohol. You do things you normally wouldn't and regret. It's certainly something I will never forget although obviously I can forgive, which I did after it happened because I knew Bellamy and that's not who he is.
Even though he is big-mouthed, he's not that kind of guy. Obviously we made up and three days after we scored against Barcelona. But what I do feel is weird is that I've seen him talk about it on a few podcasts saying stuff, and what he says is, in my opinion, not exactly how it went.
I'm also surprised he remembers everything because he was drunk. But it is what it is. He apologised and he knew and said lately it shouldn't have happened, and he's put his hands up, so I accept that.
We're not friends and we won't be friends, he's not a person I want to have in my life because of what happened. But at the same time, people make mistakes, massive mistakes, and it's all about apologising and moving on.
He's not a person I need in my life and I won't have in my life, so I wish him all the best. Life goes on.
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What Really Happened With Craig Bellamy In Golf Club Incident
It was about him wanting me to sing, and I said I don't want to sing. Basically I went up to him and said listen, shut up, stop asking me. Then I went back to the hotel room, and I fell asleep and then I woke up because keys were in the door, and he was standing there with a golf club, shouting. I think he was with other players and got more and more angry as the night went on.
I could see in his eyes he was not the person I knew. What happened was because of that discussion, which shouldn't even have turned into an issue. That's why I think also, he was not his normal self but he regretted it.
We agreed to meet in the morning to settle it but he didn't show up, and that's the Bellamy I know. He has a big mouth but he didn't show up.
On the pitch he always shouts but when the whistle blows he's a quiet boy again. I think he wants to show off a bit when he gets excited.
I don't know why he still keeps talking about it on podcasts. It happened so many years ago now.
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If You Saw Him Now, Would You Shake His Hand?
I would of course shake Bellamy's hand if I saw him now. We had massive results together and he's a former teammate. Life goes on. He's not someone I would call, but I did see him when I was at Fulham and I played against him.
That's who I am. I'm not someone who is going to hate people for life. If I see him I will shake him and give him a hug, and talk about things.
The Best Striker – Fernando Torres, Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen?
When I came to Liverpool it was an honour to play with Michael Owen. He was my age and he has done so well in football. He was on fire at Liverpool and an unbelievable guy too. Torres was more of a pure power machine.
They both had pace and were great finishers. But I would say Torres for me was better because he was stronger, he had more to his game than Owen. Owen had the finishing and pace before his injuries, but so did Torres. Owen was a better finisher but I think Torres had more to his game than Owen. I would pick him a little ahead of Owen, then Fowler after that.
Robbie was not at his peak when I was there though, so I saw more of the other two.
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