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In an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, Delhi Dynamos skipper and Champions League winner with Liverpool John Arne Riise talks about the Indian Super League, new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, Steven Gerrard, that night at Istnabul and current Liverpool left back Alberto Moreno.
Riise is the most-capped player for Norway having represented his country 110 times, and scoring 16 goals. He started his career at Norwegian club Aalesunds FK before moving to AS Monaco. In 2001, Riise signed for Premier League giants Liverpool where he spent the best days of his career. He made 339 appearances for the Reds, winning the UEFA Champions League, FA Cup and the UEFA Super Cup twice.
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The left back also played for AS Roma, Fulham and APOEL before signing for the Delhi Dynamos in the Indian Super League.
Q. Hi John, how has been the ISL journey so far?
It’s been good, you never know what to expect when you come here. I spoke to Luis Garcia before coming here and he only said good things. I’m enjoying it, and so far we’ve played a lot of away games, and we have to travel a lot. We’ve got nine points so far, and I’m pleased with it.
Q. Nine points from five games, what do you make out of Delhi’s performance so far?
It’s a good start because we’ve played four away games out of five, and after Atletico de Kolkata we’ve four home games so hopefully we can get more points at home. It’s an okay start we lost our first game 2-0 against FC Goa, but we played quite good. Our worst game was against Mumbai City FC, we played very bad in that game and we have to respond against Atletico de Kolkata tomorrow.
Q. How has the transition been from left back to centre back position?
Roberto Carlos asked me where I want to play when I came here, he said I can play at left back, centre back or in the midfield and I said I’d like to play at centre back, but I can play wherever the coach wants me to play. I’m enjoying it, and I feel I can use my strength, my experience and my left foot.
Q. You’ve played under few great managers like Rafael Benitez, so how is it working under Roberto Carlos?
Roberto Carlos was my hero as a young boy, and we both play at left back so for me he was a big factor come here. Now to be able to play under him, learn under him, and try to help him become an even better manager is a big thing for me.
Q. What do you think of the new Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp?
I think Jurgen Klopp will be very good for the team, and the club. He needs to change a few things, he needs to bring back the old Liverpool and I was delighted when Liverpool announced him as the new manager. I’m sure he’ll bring a lot of good things to the club.
Q. Three draws in the first three games is not a perfect start, but do you think he can guide them to a top 4 finish this season?
Yeah, three draws is not a very good start, but he needs time to change things. It takes time for players to understand what he wants them to do, but I’m 100% sure with time he’ll change everything.
Q. What’s your opinion on Alberto Moreno?
Since he came to the club people keep texting me, and tell me on Twitter that he is the new Riise, but I don’t think we can be similar. He is quick, good going forward and has got a good left foot so there are few similarities between him and me. I’m sure he’ll be a great player for Liverpool and a Kop hero.
Q. What do you think went wrong for Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool?
I’m a big fan of Brendan Rodgers. I really like him as a person and as a coach. I didn’t want Liverpool to sack him, but you know Jurgen Klopp was the right guy. I feel bad for Brendan, but he is a very good guy. At the end the manager always gets the blame, it’s normal, but sometimes the players don’t perform as good as the manager wants. Two years ago they came second with Brendan Rodgers.
Q. Do you think the fact that they lost players like Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling cost him his job?
It’s not easy to replace someone like Luis Suarez as he was a goal scorer, saved the team so many times, and I don’t think they have managed to replace him, that of course is a factor, but I think now they have to become more of a team, and work harder.
Q. Do you think Liverpool made the right decision to let someone like Steven Gerrard leave?
Steven Gerrard is the best player I have played with. I think he wanted to stay and become a coach at Liverpool, but it’s a good experience for him to go to Los Angeles with his family as he has been at Liverpool all his life. I think he is enjoying it, and I’m sure Steven Gerrard will come back to Liverpool as a coach.
Q. Would you be interested in joining Jurgen Klopp’s backroom staff?
I want to be a coach, my dream is to become a coach or a manager. I’m studying the game now, writing things, and take notes of things I learn. It would be a dream to work under someone like Jurgen Klopp. The target is to become my own person and my own manager
Q. Tell us about the magical night at Istanbul. Did you believe you can win the game after going 3-0 down?
It’s called the miracle of Istanbul because it was amazing. It was night that nobody would forget. Going into half time with 3-0 down, normally teams don’t come back from there, but we managed to score three goals in six minutes, and to win the final and the way we won it. It was definitely the biggest night of my life.
Q. You recently said you spoke to Steven Gerrard before coming to India, what did he tell you?
I told him I’m going to India, and he wished me luck. He wanted me to show my strength and be strong because he knows I’m a professional and I work hard. I’m enjoying it now, I’m a friend of Stevie and we keep texting each other.
Q. What was the special thing about the Liverpool team that won the Champions League that the current team is missing?
In football small details matter a lot, and I think for Liverpool getting Jurgen Klopp will help a lot. He’ll get a new mentality in the team, but it takes time. Hoepfully, this year they’ll get into the top four and next year fight for the title.
Q. Who do you think is the best player you’ve played with?
Without a doubt Steven Gerrard. (smiles)
Q. Do you think the Indian players have got what it takes to make it to the European leagues?
Yeah, it’ll take time for them and they need to learn from a younger age. That’s why players like myself and Malouda come here from the bigger leagues to share our experience. I can see a lot of improvements already since I have been here so we try our best to help the Indian players and show them what they need to do to get better.
