my liverpool fc

Riise salutes Reds owners

Norwegian hails Hicks and Gillett

By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 6th September 2007

Riise: Excited

John Arne Riise believes Liverpool's new owners have brought 'the best of the best' to the club.

The Norwegian left-back is excited about the direction Liverpool are heading in under Tom Hicks and George Gillett.

The Reds have made an excellent start to the new season after signing a host of new players over the summer, while there are also plans to move to a 60,000-seater stadium in Stanley Park.

"This is the most exciting period during my time with Liverpool," Riise told LFC Magazine. "Not just because of the players but also the plans for the new stadium and the new owners, too.

"We've got the best of the best here. We have one of the best managers in the world, one of the best stadiums on the way, great new owners and fantastic players.

"We've been able to go out and buy more expensive players than ever before thanks to the new owners. Players like Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Yossi Benayoun are the kind of players we need to take this club forward."

Respect

Riise has also been impressed with the new American bosses on a personal level, after being given support during last season's run to the final of the UEFA Champions League.

He explained: "I totally respect our new owners and what they are trying to do here. It seems like they care about the people and the club, and us players.

"Following the Barcelona game last season, they were giving us all a hug and a pat on the back.

"It was the same in Athens when we lost. That is great and tells us we have some great people around us."

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RIISE: I THRIVE ON COMPETITION Jimmy Rice in Switzerland 19 July 2007
	John Arne Riise insists he will thrive on the extra competition for places following Rafa Benitez's summer spending.
The arrival of several new faces has given the Liverpool boss countless new options for the coming season, and with the club refusing to rule out more signings, Riise is aware he has to stay on his toes. "At a club like this you always know there is going to be competition for places in the team. All each player can do is concentrate, work hard, and try to show the manager that he is worth a place," the Norwegian told Liverpoolfc.tv. "In a club like this there are always rumours about who will come in, and every year new players arrive, whether left-back or anywhere. "I just try to prove myself to the manager and I am feeling good at the moment. I have been here six years and I've played every season – hopefully it will be the same this year. I take competition as it comes – I am a person who likes it." Meanwhile, Riise is excited at the prospect of forming a left-sided partnership with Dutch starlet Ryan Babel. He said: "Ryan is quick and he plays on the left even though he's right footed, which could be good because it makes it easy to cut inside. "I think the additions have left us looking good this season." The Liverpool squad is currently enjoying a Swiss training camp, with all minds set on ensuring the club gets off to a better start to the Premiership than a year ago. Riise claims that even at this early stage of pre-season, the squad is starting to look in good shape. "It has been hard work but I think the whole team is feeling good at the moment. We've been coming away like this for a few years now and it's good to work hard two or three times a day. "It's great preparation and we're looking good even though there is a long way to go."

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