Poker has long been a favorite pastime for athletes, and several Liverpool players were no exception. Here are some who made poker part of their routine away from the pitch.
John Arne Riise
John Arne Riise was a key player for Liverpool from 2001 to 2008. As a Norwegian left-back, he was known for his powerful shots and never-ending energy.
During his Anfield stint, he was vital to the club’s progress. After retiring from football, Riise turned his attention to poker, using the same hard work and analytical thought that helped him in his football career.Â
In an interview in 2024, Riise discussed his poker path and how it was similar to football. He described his time in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. One time, he made it to the third day of the tournament. On the third day, however, his pocket kings ran into pocket aces, and he was eliminated from the tournament. Riise also talked about what he learned from talking to the poker great Daniel Negreanu.Â
Riise Playing in a WSOP Tournament
He highlighted how important it is to be patient and play strategically. He said that, unlike sports, poker forces you to make decisions independently and be mentally tough — skills he has developed over the years.Â
Jan Mølby
From 1984 to 1996, the Danish player Jan Mølby played at Anfield and impressed everyone with his vision and passing skills. Mølby was known for staying calm under pressure, and he took these skills to the poker table after retiring from professional football.Â
Jan Mølby, during his time with Liverpool
He showed how talented he was at poker in 2012 by coming in 45th place at the DKR 35,000 European Poker Tour (EPT) Copenhagen Main Event and winning $9,723.Â
Mølby has played in many charity and star poker games, often running into other sports and professional players. His ability to break down plays at the poker table demonstrates how well he understands all aspects of poker.
Albert RieraÂ
Albert Riera has everything: a career at Liverpool, periods at elite teams throughout Europe, and a natural talent for spectacular wing play. But his passion for poker cost him more than a few hands. He lost his job over it.
Riera was a talented Spanish winger who played for Liverpool from 2008 to 2010 after moving to Anfield for £8 million from Espanyol. Seeking a new start in 2014, Riera signed with Udinese in Serie A. But he made a startling decision: he missed a game to compete in a poker tournament in Slovenia.
Albert Riera Playing Poker with teammates
Riera missed the 1-1 tie between Udinese and Chievo to play in a poker event. The club was not very pleased. Days later, they terminated his contract. Riera said it was a “mutual decision,” but the timing of his absence and the poker tournament generated questions. However, he finished second in the event and took home £3,000.
Riera has always loved playing poker, and he was often seen playing with teammates in between training sessions. This time around, he chose the wrong time to pursue his passion.
You’re not alone if you share the same passion for poker as the Liverpool players mentioned above. With online and mobile poker booming, there have never been more ways to enjoy the game.
One of them is TON Poker app, which was built on Telegram and came out in the middle of 2023. It lets you play poker for real money or for free with just one click of a button.Â
The app focuses on making things easy and quick by offering cash games and events with low to medium-stakes Texas Hold’em. The platform also features regular multi-table tournaments (MTTs), giving players even more ways to test their skills. Whether you’re playing for fun or real money, TON Poker makes it easy to join the action with just one click — anytime, anywhere.
From Anfield to the felt, these Liverpool legends prove that the competitive spirit doesn’t stop at the final whistle. Whether it’s a high-stakes hand or a Champions League final, the mindset of a true competitor remains the same — focus, strategy, and heart.
