Riise: Klopp the manager Liverpool need

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  • Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise believes Jurgen Klopp is the perfect manager for the club at the moment.

    The Reds were left frustrated by Manchester United at Anfield in a 0-0 draw on Monday night but the 36 year-old defender is confident that the German will continue to take Liverpool forward.

    Having played under Rafa Benitez and winning the Champions League in 2005, Riise admits that Klopp’s approach is in stark contrast to the Spaniard’s but is enjoying the current management.

    “Rafa will always be a great manager in Liverpool’s history and I have great memories playing under him. However, I am enjoying Liverpool under Klopp also,” Riise told Sport360.

    “I think he is the kind of manager Liverpool need. He is passionate, hard working and loved by players and fans for not only the results but also his style of football and his personality on and off the pitch.”

    One of Riise’s fondest memories during his time at Liverpool remains the thumping free-kick he scored against United at Anfield but as far as the finest goal of his career goes, he thinks it came against Bordeaux while playing for AS Monaco.

    “I think my free-kick goal against United is the most popular but my personal favourite is the one I scored for Monaco against Bordeaux in 2000. It was almost from the halfway line.”

    Riise now plies his trade in the Indian Super League (ISL) for 2015 champions Chennaiyin FC having made the switch from Delhi Dynamos but he may have called time on his career already had it not been for Marco Materazzi.

    “I had lost the motivation to play while in Norway but then received a call from the legendary Materazzi and after having a conversation with him I found my motivation again. I had a lot of respect for him as a player, he is a winner.

    So when he explained to me my role in the team it didn’t take me long to make my decision of joining Chennaiyin. I am really happy to have joined Chennaiyin and have enjoyed my stint so far. Hopefully we will be able to match last season.”

    As for the biggest threats to Chennaiyin’s crown this season, the Norwegian picked out the two sides currently leading the standings.

    “You know the league is very competitive. Any team can beat anyone however NorthEast (United) have looked good so far and Mumbai (City) have also impressed.”

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