Riise rejects Villa move

Last updated : 13 November 2007 By Adam Bryant
The Norwegian international is one of the players believed to be on Rafael Benitez's for sale list, but he is hoping that he can improve his form and remain at Liverpool.

"I was happy with my performances in pre-season, but when the season started I felt I wasn't reaching my true level," he said.

"I've noticed the fans haven't been too happy with my form and rightly so. I'm my own biggest critic and I know when I haven't performed well. Now I think I'm getting my sharpness back and hopefully returning to my real level.

"There was a story about me moving to Aston Villa in January. I was away with the national team at the time and Liverpool are quite big in Norway so a lot of people were asking me about it. But it's completely false.

"I have 18 months left on my contract here and have no intention of leaving. Liverpool is the club closest to my heart and it's where I belong.

"If it wasn't for Liverpool I wouldn't be the player I am today and there is no chance that I'm going to ask for a transfer. I want to finish my career here and hopefully I can do that."