Exclusive: John Arne Riise on the title race, Liverpool FC as a family and Klopp's departure

I was granted the privilege of interviewing former Liverpool left-back and 2005 Champions League winner John Arne Riise on Monday morning.

It fulfilled a life-long goal of interviewing one of the players I grew up watching in the early 2000s and it's safe to say I'm over the moon.

During his time with the Reds, Riise earned a stellar reputation not just for his defending but for his ability to score goals which more often than not, were absolute thunderbolts.

Now retired from football, John remains an avid fan and believes that Liverpool are as much a family as they are a football club.

Without further ado, let's dive right in!

What do Liverpool need to do to win the Premier League title?

Initially, I intended on asking John what he thought Liverpool needed to do to keep their heads ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City in the title race.

I guess the answer to that question was provided when Liverpool drew 2-2 with Manchester United on Sunday afternoon, allowing Arsenal to end the weekend top of the Premier League table.

Instead, I asked John what he thinks Liverpool need to to do to reclaim their lead.

Riise told us exclusively, via BoyleSports, who offer the latest Premier League betting: "It is so close, you know, I had a look at the fixtures coming up until the end of the season and, to be honest, we can't afford to lose any more points. We just have to keep going.

"I think we should have won that game [2-2 draw against United] but we can't afford to slip up. Especially when you deserve to win, you have to get that goal to win the game.

"Hopefully yesterday was the last points that we drop until the end of the season.

"If we win all our games, I think we're gonna win the league."

It was a disappointing result for Liverpool, who slipped to second in the table on goal difference after Arsenal beat Brighton 3-0 on Saturday while Manchester City are now just one point behind after their 4-2 win against Crystal Palace.

Who would you say is your favourite current Liverpool player and why?

Riise said: "Oh, that's a big one. Obviously, my big favourite is van Dijk.

"I'm a big fan of his and how he's a big captain and helps the team.

"But also, I'm feeling a bit sorry for Thiago, because I really like Thiago.

"I feel sorry that he's been injured for so long in the season, because I think Thiago has been brilliant. But my big one is van Dijk."

Of the current youngsters, the youth players, who's exciting you the most?

Riise said: "Well, I don't think we can look past Bradley. How he's come into the team this season, been brilliant. So I think he has a big, big future.

"I think he's been unbelievable since he came in. So he's the one I will keep my eye on. And also our goalkeeper, Kelleher, I think he's been unbelievable.

"I think we would not have been in this position without him this season."

What do you think Liverpool need to get right when Jürgen Klopp leaves at the end of the season?

Riise said: "Well, I think Mr Klopp has something to say in not who is going to be the manager, but what they're looking for. I think the club uses Mr Klopp to get the right man for the job.

"I think he will probably not admit he is helping the club, but that's just who Mr Klopp is, that he likes to help the team and the club to move forward even after he left.

"So I think they need to find the way they want to go as a club, find the right person who comes in and have the same ideas with the players we have.

"If someone's going to leave, who are we going to bring in as new players? So I think just the club needs to find the right way to move forward after Klopp leaves.

"I mean, I'm glad I'm not in the position to try and move the club forward, because what Klopp has done in the last seven, eight years has been unbelievable.

"So it's a big step, but I'm sure the club has a vision of how and who they want to bring in to move the club forward."

What would you say is the one memory that has stuck with you the most about your time at Liverpool?

Riise laughed and then said: "You know the answer to that one!

"Obviously, winning the Champions League in 2005 was obviously the biggest moment for me and the biggest thing in my career, to be able to be a part of winning the Champions League.

"But people ask me this all the time, and it's a rare thing to say maybe for some, but just being able to say that I play for Liverpool Football Club is for any player massive, because there's something special about this club.

"And being able to say I've played for seven years, connected with the fans around the world, played at Anfield, there's something special about this club.

"People can say that in all other clubs as well, but there's something about the family feeling and the passion and the love you get from the fans when you play for Liverpool.

"So for me, to be able to say that I was a part of Liverpool's history and played there is probably one thing I will say to everybody that I will never forget."

Who do you think is your favourite player that you've played with at Liverpool?

For my last question, I asked John: "Who do you think is your favourite player that you've played with at Liverpool? Maybe not necessarily the best, because I mean, personally, I think I might know the simple answer to that one.

"But who do you think is the one player that you really enjoyed playing with?"

John replied: "Well, obviously, I think if you talk about the best and stuff, obviously Steven Gerrard, I think he was the most complete player that I've ever seen."

He continued: "So that's the obvious. But when you talk about enjoy watching, being able to play alongside and watch close to every day Xabi Alonso and Fernando Torres, I think Alonso was his passing, his technique, his vision, his calmness.

"In any situation, he didn't look stressed. So being able to watch him was a real joy as well. But yeah, I have to say Steven Gerrard was the best by far.

"He's the most complete player I've ever seen in my career. And when we sat at his top, there was no discussion of who was the best one."

I just want to say another thank you to John for chatting to me and becoming the first Liverpool player I've ever interviewed!