A former Liverpool star has insisted that he would be perfect for Arne Slot’s system if he was still playing today.
Liverpool’s modern football under managers Jürgen Klopp and now head coach Slot emphasises full-backs who can contribute both defensively and offensively.
Players such as Andy Robertson have become central to this system. Robertson, now 31, has set a benchmark with his energy, precise crosses, and ability to drive attacks from the left flank.
And the Reds’ need for adaptable, attack-minded defenders continues to grow. Milos Kerkez, the Hungarian international signed this summer for £40 million from Bournemouth, represents the next generation of modern full-backs. Known for his pace, dribbling, and offensive instincts, Kerkez is a promising talent for the Slot system.
Now, one former Reds’ defender has thrown his hat into the ring for the role of modern full-back, expressing confidence in his abilities years after retiring.
Speaking in a recent interview, John Arne Riise suggested that if he were in his prime today, his game would be perfectly suited to modern Liverpool’s style, particularly the demands of their attacking full-backs.
“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.”
Riise’s comments naturally invite comparisons, and it’s easy to imagine the Norwegian excelling in a side that prizes overlapping runs, intelligent positioning, and goal contributions from defensive positions.
During seven seasons at Anfield, Riise made 348 appearances, scored 31 goals, and contributed in crucial moments, including a rapid strike in the 2005 League Cup final against Chelsea. His tenure included Champions League glory in 2005, an FA Cup, League Cup, and two UEFA Super Cups.
He epitomised the modern full-back long before it became the standard — tirelessly covering ground, combining defensive duties with attacking drive, and leaving his mark on big occasions. Riise noted, “the game’s moved a lot, but the principles are similar.”
In a world where the full-back role has evolved into one of the most tactically demanding positions in football, Riise’s belief in his own prime abilities highlights a fascinating hypothetical — could one of the 2000s’ standout left-backs shine in today’s high-octane Liverpool system?
According to Riise himself, the answer is a confident yes.
