Riise said: "Everyone wants to be in the team on the first day of the season, so we are all working as hard as we can to get there. Of course you’re always a bit concerned when the manager changes because you never know if the new man is going to like your style of play. If he doesn’t then you have to go.
"Rafael Benitez has told us we all start from scratch and that we’ll all be given the opportunity to show what we can do in pre-season. I’m not scared of losing my position, but I am doing my best to make sure he likes me and the way I play.
"He’s going to take time to work out his first XI. I’m ready to fight for my place in the team and so are 30 other players."