• Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise answered questions during a Twitter Q&A 
  • The Norwegian criticised current players including Daniel Sturridge, Jose Enrique and Roberto Firmino as well as Everton midfielder Gareth Barry
  • Ex-Fulham player had kind words for James Milner and Alberto Moreno

Richard Arrowsmith for MailOnline

Former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise gave his stinging verdict on several of the club’s players past and present during a Twitter Q&A session on Monday.

The Norwegian full-back, who currently plays for India Premier League side Delhi Dynamos, spent seven seasons at Anfield – winning the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League – before leaving for Roma in 2008.

While Riise reserved praise for some of his former team-mates, including Sportsmail’s Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Sami Hyypia and Fernando Torres, he slammed several of the current squad that will be competing for places under new manager Jurgen Klopp.

Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise spoke about past and present Anfield players during a Twitter Q&A

Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise spoke about past and present Anfield players during a Twitter Q&A

The Norwegian became a cult hero during the seven seasons he spent on Merseyside

The Norwegian became a cult hero during the seven seasons he spent on Merseyside

On Daniel Sturridge… 

On Jose Enrique’s chances of returning to the side…

Riise believes often inured striker Daniel Sturridge needs to 'step up his work rate' under Jurgen Klopp

Riise believes often inured striker Daniel Sturridge needs to ‘step up his work rate’ under Jurgen Klopp

The 35-year-old also laid into out of favour full back Jose Enrique (left)

The 35-year-old also laid into out of favour full back Jose Enrique (left)

On Roberto Firmino… 

On Mesut Ozil… 

On Gareth Barry… 

Riise questioned how Everton's veteran midfielder Gareth Barry is still playing in the Premier League

Riise questioned how Everton’s veteran midfielder Gareth Barry is still playing in the Premier League

While Riise believes the Reds will win the Premier League under Klopp, he has his doubts over how successful typically injured striker Daniel Sturridge will be under the German, saying the England international ‘needs to step up his work rate’.

There was also some harsh criticism for out-of-favour defender Jose Enrique who went on to succeed Riise as Liverpool’s left back. Asked if he could see any way back at the club for the Spanish defender, Riise curtly replied: ‘Hope not.’

And, according to Riise, new signing Roberto Firmino ‘needs to show more’ if the Brazilian playmaker wants to be success on Merseyside.

Riise praised several of his former team-mates, including Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher (left)

Riise praised several of his former team-mates, including Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher (left)

On Sami Hyypia.. 

On Jamie Carragher… 

Summer signing James Milner is '100 per cent my type of player', according to Riise

Summer signing James Milner is ‘100 per cent my type of player’, according to Riise

The former Fulham player backs Alberto Moreno to establish himself as Liverpool's first choice left back

The former Fulham player backs Alberto Moreno to establish himself as Liverpool’s first choice left back

Riise’s criticism was not entirely restricted to Liverpool players, the 35-year-old also found time to claim Arsenal’s languid playmaker Mesut Ozil is ‘not my type of player’ while questioning how Everton midfielder Gareth Barry can ‘still be playing in the Premier League’.

However, Riise did have positive words to say about a couple of current players. He admitted to not previously being a fan of keeper Simon Mignolet before adding his opinion had ‘changed’, while James Milner is ‘100 per cent’ his type of player.

The former Fulham player also tipped Spain international Alberto Moreno to succeed him as Liverpool’s next cult favourite left back.

On James Milner… 

On Albero Moreno… 

 

 

 

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