EXCLUSIVE: John Arne Riise names the player Liverpool must sign to end alarming slump Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise believes Erling Haaland is the player who can drag Jurgen Klopp’s side out of their desperate slump, as he urged Anfield chiefs to find the money to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker this summer. Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk at a BT Sport event, Riise told us that his fellow Norwegian Haaland is a player capable of lifting the gloom that has descended over Anfield after a six-game losing run on home soil has left Klopp’s team of fallen Premier League champions reeling. Speculation over the Liverpool future of Mohamed Salah is gathering momentum ahead of this summer’s transfer scramble, yet 2005 Champions League winner Riise believes Haaland’s arrival would transform Liverpool’s fortunes in an instant. Yet he admits a side that is now struggling to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League need to plot a route to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they are to have any hopes of landing Haaland. “He is going to be a top player for the next 10-15 years. Maybe he is one of the players Liverpool should have a look at,” Riise told us. “I have been watching him for a few years and there was always talk about this kid coming through that could be really good. But I never believed he would be this good this quickly. He’s a raw talent, he’s powerful, quick, he can score with both feet and his head. “He scares defenders with his pace and power and the main thing for me is he is hungry. He is hungry for more and more. His confidence is so high. “Obviously, I would love Liverpool to sign Haaland, but he needs to be in the Champions League. He needs to be up against the best players and fighting for titles. “It would be crazy if Haaland went to Liverpool. They would have an incredible front three or four, but I don’t know if it can happen.” Haaland on the move this summer Borussia Dortmund are insisting they are keen to hang on to Haaland for another year at least. However, Riise is convinced the 20-year-old will be making a move this summer. “I think Haaland is going to move at the end of this season because he wants to be at a club that fights for titles and especially the big one, the Champions League,” he added. “Any team wanting to challenge for titles, if they get Haaland they will have a much bigger chance. He is that good.” READ MORE: Klopp told to brace for ‘inevitable’ transfer awaiting Liverpool in summer Watch every UEFA Champions League exclusively live on BT Sport, including Liverpool v RB Leipzig from 7pm this Wednesday on BT Sport 2. Sign up contract free with a BT Sport Monthly Pass for just £25 per month. For more info visit bt.com/sport The post EXCLUSIVE: John Arne Riise names the player Liverpool must sign to end alarming slump appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise believes Erling Haaland is the player who can drag Jurgen Klopp’s side out of their desperate slump, as he urged Anfield chiefs to find the money to sign the Borussia Dortmund striker this summer.

Speaking exclusively to TEAMtalk at a BT Sport event, Riise told us that his fellow Norwegian Haaland is a player capable of lifting the gloom that has descended over Anfield after a six-game losing run on home soil has left Klopp’s team of fallen Premier League champions reeling.

Speculation over the Liverpool future of Mohamed Salah is gathering momentum ahead of this summer’s transfer scramble, yet 2005 Champions League winner Riise believes Haaland’s arrival would transform Liverpool’s fortunes in an instant.

Yet he admits a side that is now struggling to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League need to plot a route to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they are to have any hopes of landing Haaland.

“He is going to be a top player for the next 10-15 years. Maybe he is one of the players Liverpool should have a look at,” Riise told us.

“I have been watching him for a few years and there was always talk about this kid coming through that could be really good. But I never believed he would be this good this quickly. He’s a raw talent, he’s powerful, quick, he can score with both feet and his head.

“He scares defenders with his pace and power and the main thing for me is he is hungry. He is hungry for more and more. His confidence is so high.

“Obviously, I would love Liverpool to sign Haaland, but he needs to be in the Champions League. He needs to be up against the best players and fighting for titles.

“It would be crazy if Haaland went to Liverpool. They would have an incredible front three or four, but I don’t know if it can happen.”

Haaland on the move this summer

Borussia Dortmund are insisting they are keen to hang on to Haaland for another year at least. However, Riise is convinced the 20-year-old will be making a move this summer.

“I think Haaland is going to move at the end of this season because he wants to be at a club that fights for titles and especially the big one, the Champions League,” he added.

“Any team wanting to challenge for titles, if they get Haaland they will have a much bigger chance. He is that good.”

READ MORE: Klopp told to brace for ‘inevitable’ transfer awaiting Liverpool in summer

Watch every UEFA Champions League exclusively live on BT Sport, including Liverpool v RB Leipzig from 7pm this Wednesday on BT Sport 2. Sign up contract free with a BT Sport Monthly Pass for just £25 per month. For more info visit bt.com/sport

 

The post EXCLUSIVE: John Arne Riise names the player Liverpool must sign to end alarming slump appeared first on TEAMtalk.

Kevin Palmer