Exclusive interview with John Arne Riise

CoinPoker have spoken exclusively with Champions League winning former Liverpool and Norway star turned professional poker player John Arne Riise.

Riise has revealed how he has been given tips by the Lionel Messi of poker and how he was one hand away from being inside the top 10 chop earners at the World Series of Poker.

The former Roma defender has also explained why a WSOP bracelet would mean more than a footballing medal and revealed that he gets more nervous playing poker than he was before the Champions League final in 2005.

Q: What is the most memorable game of poker you’ve played in?

“The most memorable game of poker I played in was the main event in Vegas. There was also a World Cup football tournament between poker players and that is where I met Daniel Negreanu.

“Daniel was representing Canada and after that I met him during a football event, he has a strong shot and we’ve kept in touch ever since. He is a great guy and I’m a big fan of his poker player, he’s been helpful with his tips and advice.

“He is like the Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo of poker, him and Phil Ivey are probably the two biggest names in poker.”

Q: What advice did the Lionel Messi of poker, Daniel Negreanu give you?

“He told me how for the top players it’s all about positioning and reading the game. They consider everything before making a move including who’s sitting next to them and how big the bet size is. 

“I used to just look at my cards and play, but these guys think ten steps ahead. He spoke a lot about patience. In tournaments, he can sit for four or five hours without playing a single hand. In my world, that’s insane. 

“He also said if you have a strong hand, play it hard. It’s better to lose playing the right way than to lose playing the bad way. He also said it’s better to win small than lose big.”

Q: What is the most recent tournament you played in?

“I recently played in a local Norwegian tournament that some influencers had live on their YouTube channel, and I ended up winning that one, which was good. 

“I love poker. I love traveling around Europe and playing poker, meeting people. I just like sitting at the table, talking about different things, and you meet people from all over the world. 

“It’s a great way to socialize, and it’s competitive, which is why I like it. I enjoy having something to play for and feeling the pressure. 

“Poker is my peace and quiet place. It’s where I can sit down, relax, and think about other things in my life. Meet people. The poker environment is amazing in Norway. We have so much fun together. For me, it helps my mindset and mental health because we all have daily struggles, but for me poker, paddle, and golf are my ways to calm down.

“In Norway, poker wasn’t allowed until recently. Now we have the Norwegian Poker Championship, but there are limits, you can only lose a certain amount. Like you can only lose £2000 pounds then you can’t play anymore.”

Q: How can you compare playing poker with playing professional football?

“With poker, it’s just you. When you play football, you depend on your teammates, so it’s a bit different. But after football, golf has been a big part of my life, and lately, I’ve really gotten into paddle. 

“That’s more competitive, similar to football, where you play against someone and have to practice to get better. I love sports where you have to put the work in to improve. Poker, though, is more of a relaxed environment. You can sit down, chill for hours, and talk to people. 

“Patience is my weakness when playing tournaments, since you might sit there for hours without getting good cards, but I enjoy the social aspect of it. It gives you calmness. 

“You’re sitting around a table and most people recognize who I am, and it’s easy to start a conversation because most people know or like football. Once that happens, I just sit down, relax, enjoy talking about my football experiences, and they share their favorite teams and memories. 

“For me, it’s calming, being competitive but also just chilling, not thinking about anything else. Just sit there and enjoy playing. Anytime I have a chance to travel the world to play poker or get invited to tournaments, I always say yes, because it’s just great.”

Q: What’s the biggest venue or poker hand you’ve been involved in? 

“I’ve played a few times in the main event in Vegas at the WSOP, maybe three or four times. It was always a dream to go there and see 6,000 to 7,000 people playing. You watch it on TV, but you don’t see everything behind the scenes. 

“One year, I made it to day three, and I remember playing for 12 to 14 hours over the first two days. Time flies when you’re playing poker for that long. It was such an amazing experience on the biggest stage. Late on Day two. I had pocket kings and I ended up calling an all-in, and the guy had pocket aces. If I’d won that hand, I would’ve been in the top ten chip leaders, but I lost. 

“The disappointment was huge. I was thinking: ‘This is my time.’ Because I had such a strong hand, but that’s poker. It gives you pleasure and can crush you at the same moment.”

Q: Is there a shared emotion between playing football and playing poker?

“When it comes to tournaments, like in the Champions League, you play so many games and get to the quarter-final or semi-final, and then lose—it’s quite similar. You get so disappointed.

“You’re so close to going all the way, and then you lose at the end. Most of the time in football, it’s because of a personal mistake. I scored an own goal against Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League semi-final. That was the worst feeling I’ve ever had on a football pitch. 

“It’s kind of the same with poker. You’re so close, and one mistake just kills it. In poker, you have a strong hand, you feel like it’s your moment, and then something happens.”

Q: Would winning a WSOP bracelet compare to a Champions League medal?

“To win a WSOP bracelet would be unbelievable, because poker isn’t my usual arena. In football, when I won the Champions League or the FA Cup, yes it was huge because it had been a long-term dream, but winning a poker bracelet would be incredible, but I have to admit, I don’t think that’s going to happen.

“If I win a big poker tournament, it would maybe be a bigger personal success [than winning Champions League] in a way because it’s not my usual arena. I haven’t been playing poker my whole life. Plus, poker involves a bit of luck as well. 

“In football, if you play for a team like Liverpool or Man City, you’re expected to compete for titles every year. That’s not easy, but it’s part of the environment. In poker, you’re on your own, and since I haven’t been practicing it my whole life, I think it’s much more difficult.” 

Q: Behind the scenes at Liverpool, did you guys play cards to relax? 

“On bus trips, we played Mario Kart competitions on small consoles, and sometimes we played cards. We loved competing, whether it was ping pong, pool, or cards. 

“It’s just natural for athletes. We’ve spent our whole lives competing to be the best, so it’s just part of who we are. We used to play three card poker. Michael Owen was quite good, Owen was quite good at everything including good at pool, too. 

“He was smart when it came to cards. He was just good, he didn’t try to trick you. He was just good at most things he did. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t about the money; it was about the feeling of winning and competing, thinking about something else on the way to the hotel, or just getting our minds off football.”

Q: How does preparing for the main event in Vegas compare to the Champions League final nerves? 

“I’m 100% more nervous going into a poker tournament because it’s not my arena. I remember going to my poker table, shaking, and feeling nervous, thinking: ‘What if I don’t know the rules?’

“You start doubting yourself, and you’re playing against people who are really good. I get nervous in big games in big tournaments because I haven’t trained for it my whole life. But in football, for any final, it didn’t bother me. 

“I knew what I could do, how good I was, and that I deserved to be there. In poker, it’s more about trying not to mess up, remembering bet sizes and how to play your cards. 

“I’d just look at what other players were doing and try to mimic them. Even though it’s a chill environment, I was shaking for the first couple of hours.”

Q: Preparing for the Champions League final, were you relaxed?

“I was relaxed and excited. In 2005, when we faced AC Milan, one thing that struck me was standing in the tunnel, looking at players like Kaka, Pirlo, and Maldini. I thought: ‘Why am I here?’ It felt surreal, seeing those names and realizing I was standing there with them. 

“Even though I knew I deserved to be there, I was still thinking: ‘I’m from a small town in Norway. How did I end up here?’ But as soon as we walked onto the pitch and the whistle blew, everything disappeared, and I just focused on my job. Still, it was surreal being in the same tunnel as those players.

“A lot of players, when they sign for a club like Liverpool, think they’ve made it. But for me, that’s when the hard work starts. A lot of players mess up their careers because they think signing for a big club like Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Liverpool means they’ve arrived. But if you don’t perform in the first few months, they can easily replace you. 

“These clubs can buy whoever they want, so if you don’t prove yourself quickly, you’re out, and someone else takes your place.

“When I signed for Liverpool, it wasn’t about having made it; it was about proving myself all over again. The same happened when I signed for Roma. Even with a name, I still felt like I had to prove myself every single year. 

“Even after playing every game in my first season at Liverpool, the following season, I went into it with the mindset that I had to prove myself again. That mentality was one of my strengths.”

Q: Who didn’t want to prove themselves at Liverpool?

“El Hadji Diouf comes to mind. When he signed for Liverpool, he seemed to think he’d already made it. His attitude and the way he trained, that was obvious. At a club like Liverpool, when you have leaders like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, their job is to make sure new players understand the rules and what it means to play for the club. But Diouf wasn’t listening.

“People had high expectations when he came and signed for a big fee, but he wasn’t able to meet the demands of the club, the players, and the city.

“Stevie and Jamie were leaders in the dressing room, and they were relentless in training. They led by example, always giving 100%, every day. If you weren’t pulling your weight, they would let you know. They demanded the best from themselves first. 

“They understood what it meant to play for Liverpool, and they wanted warriors beside them, people who embraced the club’s fighting spirit. If you didn’t, you’d learn quickly. If not, you wouldn’t play.

“We had Gérard Houllier at first, and then Rafa Benítez, and both managers were on the same page. They knew we needed that effort, day in and day out, in training. 

“Stevie was probably one of the best players, not just in games but in every single training session. Even if we had a bad session, as everyone does from time to time, the key was giving everything you had. 

“That’s what made our team strong, and it’s one of the reasons we won the Champions League in 2005. On paper, A.C. Milan should have killed us, but we had team spirit, we gave everything.“

Q: Should Liverpool make Trent Alexander-Arnold a contract offer that he can’t refuse?

“I think it’s important to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold, to be honest. He’s a local player, an unbelievably good player. It would be really disappointing for the fans, the club, and the city if he leaves because he’s such a local lad, proving you can come from the area and perform at the highest level. 

“At the same time, Trent needs to feel wanted, whether it’s the type of contract or the plans the club has for him in the future. But he’s in a good position to negotiate. If Real Madrid is in the picture and you’re performing at a high level, the club really needs to step up. 

“I think Trent’s waiting for Liverpool to show that love and commitment that he wants to sign. But at the same time it’s tough because Real Madrid is a massive club, but I think it means more to Trent to be a local hero.”

Q: Does the Trent Alexander-Arnold contract situation remind you of Steven Gerrard?

“I was there with Steven Gerrard when he almost left for Chelsea. We were close friends, and I could see how much the discussions in the papers affected Stevie mentally and physically and mood wise.

“He was really close to going, but in the end, the love for the club and the city meant more than a trophy or two. And I think Trent will do the same, he’ll stay.”

Q: Do you share the concerns regarding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive ability?

“I do understand the criticism but every player has weaknesses. You have to weigh how important his strengths are compared to those weaknesses. Can you cover up some of them? 

“The way Liverpool plays now, if I were an opposing coach, I’d target him ‘have a go at Trent’ by putting a fast or skillful winger against him. But going the other way, his passing, assists, vision, and shooting means more, especially for a big club like Liverpool, who dominates most games. 

“Sure, against top teams, he might get exposed more, but I think Trent has improved defensively. He looks sharper one-on-one this year compared to last. The club has a plan to cover his defensive weaknesses, and I believe he’ll continue to improve.”

Q: Jurgen Klopp’s recent move to Red Bull caused a stir. Some say he’s betrayed his principles. What do you think?

“Honestly, I had to laugh at that. I don’t think it’s going to change his legacy or betray his principles. Jurgen Klopp’s a smart guy, and he wouldn’t have made the move if it would ruin anything. 

“Let the man do what he wants. It does not change him as a person just because he’s got a job. There’s always going to be someone who doesn’t like whatever you do, no matter what. I just applaud Klopp for getting back into football, and I wish him all the best.”

Q: Mohamed Salah’s contract is running down, should he be offered a huge new contract at his age?

“This is a really hard one. I think it all depends on what he wants. If he shows that he really wants to stay, I think Liverpool will keep him. But it’s difficult because there’s been talk about Saudi Arabia and all that. 

“He looks sharp now, relaxed, enjoying his football. But is he enjoying it because he knows it’s his last year? I have no idea. It’s a tough call. I’d keep him, but it’s going to cost a lot to do so. But if you let him go, who do you get to replace him? 

“That’s going to cost a lot, and you’re not guaranteed to find someone who can give you the goals and assists he does. That’s why I would try to keep him. Liverpool looks strong now. I think Salah and Virgil van Dijk are watching to see if we’re competitive this year. The team looks good, top of the league, new manager, new ideas. 

“For those two, it’s crucial to know we can still challenge for the title. If we lose both, we’d have to start over with two of our most influential players gone. 

“It’s not just about finding replacements; what message does it send to the fans? It would be a tough one for the club. But at the end of the day, the players need to show they want to be there and work hard for the club. Right now, things look really good, and we’re top of the league. The club should do whatever they can to keep those two.”

Q: How do you feel about your Norway cap record potentially being overtaken in the future?

“There are two players who are going to drive me mad over the next ten years, Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. I actually think Ødegaard will break it first. He’s physically suited to play more games with fewer injuries than Haaland, at least at the moment. 

“I might be wrong, but I’m more scared of Ødegaard getting my record. But If they both overtake me, I’ll be happy to sit in third place behind those two.”

Q: What do you make of a German manager taking the England job? Would it have been the same reaction if Jurgen Klopp took over? 

“I think people would accept Jurgen Klopp more because of his record in England and his personality. But I understand the criticism from Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville.

“It’s very strange, weird and disappointing that England, with so many good managers, don’t have an English one good enough to be national team coach. I can understand smaller countries hiring a foreign coach, but this is England. 

“I have nothing against the new manager, but with all the talented English managers, not finding one for the national team is odd and disappointing.

“I think if Klopp had come to England, the reaction might’ve been different because people feel like Klopp is almost English, in a way. He’s been there for so many years, had so much success with Liverpool, and transformed the team. 

“The way he is as a person might have made it more acceptable. But, in my opinion, the England national team should have an English manager.”

Q: Do you think Steven Gerrard could be a future England manager?

“I’m not sure how people in England view his move to Saudi, but I know him quite well. He’s very passionate, always learning and studying the game. He proved his worth at Rangers. 

“But I think it’ll be a few years before he’s considered for the England job. He’ll need to leave Saudi, come back to European football, and show what he can do with teams over here again.”