Riise States Liverpool’s Champions League Fate For This Season

Liverpool’s Champions League hopes have been written off this season by one of their former stars in the person of John Arne Riise.

The Norwegian has given a cold assessment of his former side’s hopes in the Champions League this term after their unpleasant start to the season.

Riise played for Liverpool between 2001 and 2008 and was part of the team that won the Champions League trophy in 2005 after beating AC Milan side to the surprise of the world.

And even though the reds could also reach the final once more in 2007, they lost on that occasion to Milan. Since then however, they haven’t been consistent in the European Elite competition as a result of their struggles to make the top four in the Premier League.

Current boss Jurgen Klopp was able to get a Champions League ticket for the Reds this season after finishing fourth last season on the premier league table.

But the best they could do during their opening group game was to draw 2-2 with Sevilla at Anfield. They have also struggled defensively in nearly every game this season and lost their most recent game to Leicester City in the League Cup on Tuesday.

And Riise, speaking to Sport 360 recently, made it known that he is not optimistic this current Liverpool side can replicate what Liverpool were able to do in 2005 when they lift the Champions League silverware.

“With the defensive issues I don’t think Liverpool will go all the way in the Champions League.” he said.