🎤 John Arne Riise Exclusive Interview

John Arne Riise speaks exclusively on Liverpool’s biggest stars and title ambitions, opens up on his personal journey post-retirement, and reflects on the defining moments of his career.

Q: Do you think Mo Salah can become the GOAT at Liverpool going forward or is he already?

Well, I mean, there are massive names in Liverpool’s history, obviously. However, what Mo Salah is doing — and has done — in the last few years, with the numbers he’s posted for goals and assists, has been incredible.

People always say, “OK, next season he won’t be able to repeat that,” but he keeps performing.

Is Mo Salah a real GOAT?

I think last season was especially impressive because of all the talk about his new contract before and during the season.

But he kept his head down and just performed incredibly. Now the contract is signed, people are asking, “can he still do it at his age? Can he produce those numbers?” That’s what people want to see.

He’s an amazing player. What impresses me most is how calm he is. You can see he’s smiling on the pitch, enjoying football.

People say he could defend more or do other things, but he’s doing exactly what he’s best at — what the club and the players want from him — scoring goals, creating assists, and being a constant threat going forward.

If he’s not already the GOAT at Liverpool, he’s definitely one of the top three to five players in the club’s history, that’s for sure.

Q: And you think it's that ability to stay calm under pressure that makes him so special?

Yeah — and also, I mean, it’s so hard to believe in your ability that much. He never seems to doubt himself.

He always keeps doing the same thing. Some games, sure, he’s off it, not having his best day — but he’s always a threat. You know, he’s always someone who can pop up with a goal because he’s so calm.

Q: What do you make of Trent Alexander-Arnold moving to Real Madrid? Do you think that was the right decision for him?

I mean, if he was mentally done at Liverpool — and I think most fans, ex-players, and everyone could see that — then yeah. The contract situation wasn’t being sorted, and nobody was saying he wanted to stay, so I think everybody knew he was going.

Now in Spain - Trent Alexander Arnold

I said it last season as well — I thought he was going. He needed a change for himself.

I’m really impressed by his decision to test himself — another league, different players. Even though he was at a club that could fight for titles, he still wanted that new challenge.

Was it the right decision? I don’t know — but mentally, he needed that shift. And if your head’s gone — mentally, you’re somewhere else — then you need to move, because you won’t perform at your best where you are.

So I think for him, he needed that change, and I’m excited to see him perform in Spain.

Q: Do you think Trent Alexander-Arnold can go on and become one of the best fullbacks in the world at Real Madrid?

I don’t know. I’m excited to see if he can get back to the level he was at during his best at Liverpool — because it’s a different kind of football, different league, different tempo.

Plus, there’s more pressure on him now after the move. People are really going to pick at his flaws because they don’t understand the move.

He’s an amazing player and person. He’s already one of the best right-backs in the world — but this is a new test for him. I’m a bit excited and curious to see if he can perform at that level with the pressure on him.

Q: How about Andy Robertson? He’s 31 now. Do you think he’s got long left at the club?

I mean, I love Andy Robertson. But in football, everything changes over time — new opponents, new teammates to compete with.

The level he’s been at for so many years has been the absolute highest.

Andy Robertson 

Last season, I don’t think he performed at his top level — which is normal. It’s hard to stay at that peak for so long.

But now, with a new player coming in, there’s pressure on him again and he needs to step up. I think tough competition is good for him.

He knows himself that he didn’t perform his best last season. Now with a new left-back in, he’s got real competition. So I think he’ll step up, but I don’t think he’ll get back to the level he was at a couple of years ago.

I think he’ll struggle for playing time this season — that’s my opinion right now, but hopefully I’m wrong.

Q: How about Milos Kerkez? What is it you like about him, and do you think he’s the right signing for Liverpool?

He’s young, aggressive, offensive — you can see the style. He’s hungry to perform. It’s a step up for him in terms of quality of teammates — no disrespect to his former teammates, but it is a step up.

So for me, it’s about whether he can calm down, believe in himself, and get the best out of himself under pressure, now that he’s signed for a club like Liverpool.

I’m very excited. I loved what I saw at his former club, and so far, I like what I’ve seen at Liverpool. He looks like a player who really wants to take that position and perform at the highest level.

Q: Let’s move on and talk about Alexander Isak. What do you think makes him so special? And do you think Liverpool will get the deal done?

It’s been the talk of the summer. Some days you think, “Yeah, he’s going to sign,” and other days you think, “No chance.”

What’s exciting is his movement — he’s quick, he’s a great finisher, he’s hungry.

Alexander Isak

But you read so many stories from people who think they know everything, but they don’t have the answers.

Newcastle will be tough to convince. This one might come down to what Isak himself says to the club. But it’s all about money, isn’t it?

Newcastle are in a strong position. They know clubs want him.

At the same time, do you want to keep an unhappy player at your club?

If they decide not to sell because the price isn’t met, how will he perform next season for Newcastle? Because we all know he wants to leave.

I’d love to get him at Liverpool, but the price will be extremely high. If it’s worth it? I don’t know.

It would be an amazing signing for Liverpool, but right now it looks difficult as they’ve already rejected so many offers. Time will tell!

Q: What is it about Alexander Isak that makes him such a great player?

I think he’d suit Liverpool’s style perfectly — because of his movement, his runs in behind and his finishing.

Look at Darwin Núñez, in the last couple of years, he’s had so many chances from making those runs.

If Núñez had a bit more luck — or composure — in front of goal, he’d have scored an unbelievable amount.

I think Alexander Isak is a step up. He’s calmer, more deadly in front of goal, and maybe smarter with his movement.

So I think Isak fits Liverpool better — especially with the way we play. I get why Liverpool are going all in for him.

He could be that missing link up front.

Q: How about Florian Wirtz? How good do you think he is?

Well, just look at what he’s done at Leverkusen — he’s unbelievable.

But coming to the Premier League is a different step. The speed, sharpness, and quality here is another level — both in your team and your opposition.

So it’s a different ballgame.

The money spent on him makes sense because every club wanted him.

I think he fits perfectly in terms of vision, technique, and style.

Even in pre-season, you could see how he’s trying to find Mo Salah between the lines with his passing. That’s why I think Isak would also be perfect — the connection between them would be special.

I’m so excited for this season.

Honestly, I don’t think I’ve been this excited about a Liverpool season before.

Last year there were no big signings — but this year, even without winning the Premier League, the signings are unbelievable.

Expectations are high — from the ex-players, the fans, and the whole football world.

I can't see anybody else winning the Premier League other than Liverpool this season. When you look at what they did last season and the signings they've made this summer, I can't see how Liverpool won’t be up there at the end of the season.

Q: How about Hugo Ekitike? What do you think about him, and how good do you think he is as a player?

Well, to be honest, I haven’t seen much of him. It came a little bit out of the blue for me that he signed. But obviously, he’s an amazing player if they’re going for him — different kind of player as well.

So, I don’t know him that well, haven’t seen much of him. I’m excited to see what Arne Slot is thinking about his position, how he wants him to link up, and how he wants to play. I think it also depends on other signings — how much playing time he’ll get.

But obviously, if you spend that much money on a player, he must be good. He hasn’t played much in pre-season — he just arrived — so I want to give him some time to see what he can do.

I'm excited for the season because the first game is getting close. I’m going to be in the studio for Norwegian TV during the first game, so I’m excited to see what’s going to happen, who’s playing, and how sharp they look.

Yeah, I’m excited for all these new signings. And that’s why I also say that Liverpool, in my eyes, are favourites to win the Premier League — especially based on what they did last season. And I think they’ve strengthened the team massively as well.

Q: You've talked about the expectations the club has in the Premier League — how about the Champions League? Do you think they’ll be gunning for that this season?

Yeah, I think that’s also why they’ve done all the signings — because obviously they were unbelievable.

Halfway through the Champions League last season, they met PSG in the first knockout game and probably played their two worst games of the season. PSG deservedly won in the end.

I think they realised last year that they needed a stronger squad to be able to compete in all competitions all the way.

I know the Premier League is important for any club — especially Liverpool — but I think they’re going for the Champions League. I think they want to win it this year.

Q: Let’s move on and talk about Fulham. What do you think about the club’s chances this season? Where do you think they’ll finish?

I think it’s a fantastic club and now they’ve got a new stadium.

Fulham Have upgraded from the aged Craven Cottage

I’ve been invited this season to come and see some games and meet the VIPs, so I’m looking forward to going back to Craven Cottage.

Every season, Fulham are a bit of an unknown — you never quite know what’s going to happen.

I think they did great last season.

I’m not sure what their current situation is with players coming in and out — or what the club’s expectations are.

But it seems like they always survive. They always find a way to perform at the level they need to.

Craven Cottage is a hard place to go — it’s always a bit of a fortress.

That’s the main thing this season — make it a tough place for opponents, and then try to perform in the away games.

But yeah, I’m excited to go back and see a few matches.

Q: Have you been impressed with Fulham’s transfer window so far? Any players you’d love to see them sign?

No — I haven’t followed too closely who’s coming in or going out.

That’s something I need to look at before the season starts — to review the squad properly.

Obviously, Fulham is a club that often ends up selling players who want to take the next step.

I hope they can keep their best players and build a squad that’s competitive.

The Premier League is so hard now — you really have to hold onto your top players.

But the bigger clubs are always trying to take talent from clubs like Fulham.

So they need to keep their players as long as possible if they want to build a team that can compete — and I really hope they manage to do that.

Q: Let’s move on briefly to discuss a couple of Norwegian players. Who has the bigger potential going forward — Martin Ødegaard or Erling Haaland?

It’s so hard — they’re such different players, and I love them both.

The more exciting player this season, the one I’m most curious to watch, is probably Erling Haaland. Last season, yes, he scored a lot of goals, but he had some injuries. It was a bit up and down.

I think he’s hungry this season. And I think the City team is hungry to perform better than they did last season.

He looks really excited to be back for the new season.

So I’m excited to see him — and to see if he can get back to his best.

It’s weird to even say that, because he scored so many goals last year — but if he stays injury-free, he’ll score an incredible number again.

Martin Ødegaard — I’m also excited to see.

Last season, I noticed he got a bit of criticism from his own fans, some said he didn’t step up when needed as captain.

I don’t agree — he’s an unbelievable player who wants the best for his team.

I think Arsenal will be strong again this season. Ødegaard looks sharp. He got married this summer — things are looking good at home — so I think he’ll perform at the highest level again.

He’s the main man at Arsenal.

But in terms of excitement — I think Haaland will be the one to watch this season.

Q: What are some of the characteristics Erling Haaland has that make him one of the best players in the world?

He doesn’t care what other people think.

He has unbelievable belief in his own ability, in terms of what he can do on the pitch.

He’s confident, he’s professional in his daily life, and he does the right things on and off the pitch.

So yeah — being the way he is, you’ll always get criticism when you don’t do what others expect, but he doesn’t care.

I think that’s a massive strength.

He's so confident in his own ability — in what his role is within the team. Plus, he knows he can do better, and he works hard.

But being able to block everything out from the outside — not getting affected by it — is really hard, especially when you're one of the best players, one of the biggest stars in the world. So I think that’s his strength.

This season, he’s going to be a different player than he was last season.

Q: Let's move on to a few generalised questions now, starting with your career. We'd love to know — a primed John Arne Riise, how much do you think you would cost in today’s game?

I wish I knew myself. I don't know!

When I look at the left backs being bought by big clubs today, obviously I rate myself quite highly as a left back, especially with how left backs are playing now. Wing backs, full backs, it all matters.

But anyway, it's hard to say.

I think I would’ve been worth a lot in my prime because I was able to create and score goals for any team.

It’s hard for me to put a number on it, but a prime Riise would’ve been up there among the highest-valued left backs. I’m not sure how high, but definitely quite high.

Q: During your career, you experienced some incredible highs, but also some lows. What would you say was the biggest lesson that football taught you?

Ooh, that's a hard one.

Well, life is more than football.

Loves a dress up does Riise!!

I think that's important to remember. You give everything on the pitch, your whole life, to have a career that's actually quite short, but there's more to life than just football.

When I was still playing, I felt like it was only football that mattered because I gave so much of myself to it.

It affected my daily life, my personal life, my family life. Football was everything.

But looking back now, I wish I’d enjoyed it more. I did enjoy it, but I wish I took more time to really appreciate it.

At a top club, it’s games every three days. Recovery, match, recovery, match. Time just flies by.

So, one big lesson was to enjoy it more and to remember there’s more in life than football.

At the same time, football gave me everything. The highs and the lows. From winning the Champions League to scoring a goal in the last minute against Chelsea in a semi-final.

It gave me so many ups and downs, but at the end of the day, life goes on and you learn from it.

In the moment though, there's nothing more important than football and that’s what makes it so exciting. You give everything!

I just wish fans knew that players do give everything. Even when they’re having bad games or bad spells, they’re still trying their best every day.

They want the best for the club. Okay, sure, some players are selfish and don’t always think that way, but most players give everything they have, even when they’re not at their best.

I think fans should remember, no one plays badly on purpose.

Q: Do you think you were at all misunderstood as a player?

The thing is, something happens when you go on the pitch.

I see myself as a nice, good guy off the pitch. Respectful, funny, joking around, just wanting the best for people.

But on the pitch, I could be different. I did everything to win and to perform.

So I know sometimes I could be a real pain. Not hated, but I might not have behaved the best on the pitch at times.

Was I misunderstood? I don’t know.

All I ever wanted was respect. From teammates, opponents, and fans. Respect for the player I was.

Hard-working. Scoring amazing goals. Great left foot.

I just wanted that respect from people who know the game, and I think I got that.

At Liverpool, I played 348 games in seven years. That’s 50 games a season on average.

So I must’ve done something right.

Q: Would you rather play in the era you played in, or would you prefer to play in today's game?

I think my style of football would’ve suited today’s game more.

The way full backs and wing backs are used now, I think that would’ve suited my game better.

When I came to Liverpool, we had Houllier and Phil Thompson as manager and coach.

Full backs weren’t as offensive back then. It was the Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher era.

They were more defensive full backs.

Then I came in, and I started bombing forward, which was unusual at the time.

It was unusual for teammates and opponents.

But now, you see wing backs flying forward every game.

I think I would’ve played even better and been more talked about if I played now.

Q: You've spoken openly about bankruptcy. Was there ever a moment where you felt it was all falling apart? And do you think football prepares players properly for retirement?

The thing is, like I said before, there's more to life than football.

I always say in interviews in Norway that we have the same issues as everyone else.

We go through divorces, tough relationships, hard times in life.

That’s just life, but because we’re famous or well-known, people forget we have feelings too.

I’ve spoken lately about struggling mentally, because you're not always prepared for what life throws at you.

You can't handle everything.

For me, it was 20 to 25 years in football.

You’re prepared for everything in that world, but outside of it, not always.

People think we're machines, that we don't have emotions, but I cry a lot. I’m emotional. I get upset by the same things, just like everyone else.

People forget that just because we’re good at something doesn’t mean we’re immune to negativity.

Nobody wants to read horrible things about themselves. Nobody wants to hear people saying bad things about their wife, girlfriend, kids, or family. We go through all the same things: financial stress, emotional stress, family issues.

It’s no different for us, and I think it’s so important for players to talk about these things and show emotion.

I'm not saying it's weakness, but showing emotions and talking about it isn’t a bad thing.

That’s why I don’t laugh it off, because we go through hard times as well.

Q: Talking of challenges, I know you recently completed a 24-hour, 106-mile treadmill run. Talk us through that challenge. How did you get through that mentally?

Someone I know texted me saying he was doing a 24-hour treadmill run to raise money for mental health, especially for men.

He asked me to come and run for an hour or two and I said, “I’ll run the whole thing.”

Stupidly, but that’s just me.

That was only three weeks before the event, so I hadn’t trained for anything like that.

It was kind of a challenge I gave myself.

You could run for a while and take as many breaks as you wanted.

I asked the guy, “What’s your goal? How far do you want to go?”

He gave me a target, and I said I’d try to hit the same.

So I tried to plan it — how far I needed to run per hour, how long I could rest.

I ended up running 172 kilometres.

It was long and painful, but the kind of stupid thing I’d love to do again, because now I’d prepare properly and go for over 200 kilometres in 24 hours.

I think in life, I love to challenge myself. I love doing things where people say, “That’s unbelievable, how can you do that?” It’s more for my own good.

I’ve trained all my life, I’ve done things, but this is a different kind of challenge.

Now I’m doing a half-marathon in four weeks. I’m training for it, and I’ve got a target time.

It gives me something to work towards every day. These kinds of incredible challenges give meaning to my training.

Achieving those goals gives me satisfaction in life, being able to push myself physically and, more importantly, mentally.

Keeping that competitiveness in training is something I need, and I’ll keep testing myself.

Q: We would love to know who you think reminds you of yourself in today's game. Is there any player that resonates with how you played?

That's difficult. Very difficult.

What I miss in today’s game, not football overall but in terms of style of play, is people scoring those insane goals. You know, shots from outside the box, those 25 or 30-yard bangers, just having a go.

I remember when I played, especially at Anfield, when I got the ball, you would go on a full sprint with the ball at your feet and just go towards goal. You could feel the excitement from the fans, and they knew what was coming.

That kind of style, I miss. You could feel it with Steven Gerrard as well. When he got the ball in midfield and just charged forward at full speed, you knew what was coming.

I miss that kind of play now. We don't see it much anymore.

Now it's more about playing football up to the edge of the 18-yard box and then trying to score around the area, keeping possession.

I miss that feeling of just getting the ball and going. No plan, just full sprint.

I don’t see many left backs doing that at the moment.

So I miss that kind of style.

On social media, like Instagram, people still post my old goals, and always comment, “Nobody does this anymore.”

I miss those times. Today’s football is much more possession-based. You just don’t see players shooting from 30 yards like that anymore.

Q: Who do you think is the best left back in the world currently?

Sometimes I think of one player, and then suddenly he disappears a bit. Then another one starts performing.

It’s touch and go.

With left backs now, some are moving into midfield, and others stay higher up. So it’s hard to say.

I don’t really have any favourites at the moment.

I just want full backs, either right or left, to score more goals and be more offensive when they have the ball at their feet.

Now it’s mostly one or two touches all the time.

I want more excitement from full backs going forward and creating that buzz for the fans. That’s what I want.

So I’m not sure who’s the best at the moment. There are a few names up there, but I want to see someone this season doing what we used to do back in the day.

Q: Is there one player at all that you wish you’d played with during your time that you didn’t get the chance to?

I was very lucky.

I would love to have played with Virgil Van Dijk. I would have loved to have him next to me, even though I loved playing with Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypiä.

Playing with Van Dijk would have been awesome. Having him next to me would have allowed me to cheat a bit more going forward, and he could have just covered me more.

Yeah, he would have been unbelievable to play with.

Obviously, it would have also been amazing to have Lionel Messi in your team and play with him — the best player in history.

I was lucky to play with unbelievable players, but having someone like Lionel Messi or Ronaldinho on your team would have been brilliant.

Q: Was there one club you maybe wish you'd played for or signed for but never did? And what about Saudi clubs? Do you think you would have signed for one of those if they existed like they do now when you were playing?

I never believed or thought I would play for Liverpool. That was something I never could have dreamed of.

The club doesn't get any bigger than that. So for me, it was always Liverpool.

I know there was some interest from Barcelona at one point, at least in the papers, but it never led to anything.

So for me, it was Liverpool — no doubt.

As for Saudi clubs, to be honest, people ask me this a lot.

If I were playing now, in my prime, and a Saudi club came with an offer... I’m not sure.

I don’t know enough about it at the moment, but when you see the money involved, obviously it’s hard to say no.

It depends on where I was in my career and what my goals were.

I can see why a lot of players are going there now.

I can see Ronaldo doing well and enjoying it.

So I wouldn’t say no, one hundred percent. If it was the right situation, I would consider it, yes.

Q: What was your favourite shirt that you ever wore as a football player?

To be honest, for me, playing for my country was always something really special.

We can talk about clubs like Liverpool, Roma — massive clubs — but I do think the Roma shirts were awesome.

I think they looked sick.

So in terms of design and look, the Roma shirts were my favourite.

But in terms of meaning, I think the national team shirt was the one.

Q: What would you say was your favourite moment from your playing career, and what made it so special?

I was quite lucky in my career to have some great memories, but obviously, the one that stands out — and I guess is the biggest one — is the Champions League final in 2005. That’s an obvious choice as the most memorable moment.

But at the same time, as players, we always remember those big steps — like signing for big clubs. For me, getting the call and having the chance to sign for Liverpool Football Club was a dream come true for a young kid.

It really set the standard for me and my career — having the opportunity to perform at the highest level, with and against the best players in the world.

Q: If Liverpool had a prime John Arne Riise today, do you think they’d have a stronger left-back than they do currently?

You’re killing me now.

I think I’d be perfect for it. The way the full-backs play now, the offensive movement, the crossing, the shooting — that was my game.

So I believe in myself and my ability. If I were at my best now, I think I’d be playing.

Q: Looking back at your Champions League experience — what was the one moment from Istanbul that gave you chills? I know you mentioned it earlier, but what’s the one specific moment that really stands out?

Well, there are some moments in your life and career that make you think, “This is meant to be.”

There were a few things during that Champions League season that gave me belief. Like the last-minute goal from Steven Gerrard against Olympiacos in the group stage — we needed to win by two goals to go through, and we did it.

Then obviously, the no-goal or goal from Luis Garcia against Chelsea.

And in the final — getting that cross to Steven Gerrard and pulling it back to 3–1 early on — that gave us real belief.

There were moments that season when we knew we weren’t the best team player-for-player, but we were a team and that bond was everything.

It just shows you: being a team is more important than just having individual quality. We proved that by beating so many teams that, on paper, were better than us.

Team bonding and team performance were key.

Q: If VAR had existed in 2005, do you think Liverpool still would have won the final?

In my opinion, when Luis Garcia scored, it was a goal. I can’t say for sure because I didn’t see it clearly, but I trust my teammate. Luis Garcia said it was a goal, so it was a goal.

Q: Do you ever feel at all underappreciated when people talk about Liverpool legends?

No, I feel very respected by Liverpool fans.

I know I had my strengths and weaknesses as a player, but I think I was one of the first more offensive full-backs.

Now all full-backs are expected to be attacking, creating and scoring goals and I was one of the first to really start playing that way.

I don’t feel underappreciated. I think people recognise my strengths. Sure, people sometimes point out my weaknesses, but I’m fully aware of them.

I decided to focus on my strengths. I had a great career, and when it comes to full-backs, I know I was one of the best in my prime.

Plus, it’s not about what others think — it’s about what I think I achieved. And I believe I achieved more in my career than I ever dreamed of. That’s what matters most!