Countless Premier League players past and present have been known for possessing a powerful shot – but none, perhaps, can hold a candle on that front to John Arne Riise.The former Liverpool and Fulham defender had a left foot that regularly drew comparison to a traction engine, and struck fear into onrushing defenders with it during his time in England. The Norwegian's shot was so powerful that it occasionally caused injuries.
One infamous incident even saw Riise cause lasting damage to Manchester United utility man Alan Smith during an FA Cup fifth-round clash at Anfield in 2006.Smith was left with a broken leg and a dislocated ankle after attempting to block Riise's free kick. While not to blame for such an horrific incident, Riise went to visit his opponent that night.
"I think he struggled coming back after that injury”John Arne Riise of Liverpool (Image credit: Getty Images)“I spoke to him in the evening at the hospital and apologised but more for the unluckiness of it all,” says Riise, speaking on behalf of BetMGM. “Obviously he knew that I hadn’t meant to hurt him but I felt bad because these kinds of injuries can be really tough to come back from. I think he struggled coming back after that injury.
”Indeed, Smith later revealed that he struggles to walk properly to this day, 19 years later. The former England international did return after the leg break, but his career went in a downward spiral as he struggled to regain the tenacity that made him such an O.
