SINGAPORE — When Juergen Klopp took over as Liverpool manager two years ago, the former Borussia Dortmund tactician’s appointment was hailed as a coup for the Premier League side.

The German is trying to instil an attractive, attacking style of play at Anfield, and while the club finished eighth in the 2015/16 season, the 49-year-old showed what he could do in his first full season with a fourth-place finish in the campaign just ended.

It ensured a return to the Champions League after two years, and former left-back John Arne Riise, a fan favourite during his seven years at the Reds, believes next season will truly test Klopp’s mettle.

“It would have been a disaster (not to qualify),” the 36-year-old said yesterday at a Masters Football Asia event at The Exchange.

“(Klopp’s) first season was good, the second was even better because we got the Champions League, but now is the real test because he … needs to show he can fight for titles.”

Liverpool’s last piece of silverware was the 2011/12 League Cup and Riise said that the Reds need to strengthen the squad to have a chance of ending the drought, with plenty of strengthening needing to be done.

“Left-back, centre-back, centre-midfield and striker,” the Norwegian unhesitatingly responded when asked which positions needed reinforcement.

“Those four positions are very important. We need a bigger squad now because we’ve got the Champions League, and we also need young players from the academy to come up too.”

In particular, a proper out-and-out striker is key, after attacking midfielders Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane topped the scoring charts with 14 and 13 goals last season.

The promising Divock Origi netted 11 times, while Daniel Sturridge only bagged seven, and Riise feels Klopp needs someone who can score more than 20 goals on his own.

“Sturridge is a brilliant striker but I don’t think he fits into the system of Liverpool,” he said.

“(Roberto) Firmino, Coutinho, they are not proper strikers ... We need a real No 9, someone like (Everton’s Romelu) Lukaku, who can score 25 goals, or (Tottenham’s) Harry Kane, we need a striker like that.”

At the back, someone like Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk would have been an “extremely good” signing, but Liverpool’s hopes of signing the Dutch defender appears to be finished after they were reported for approaching the player illegally.

“I think they did it the wrong way, it wasn’t a good thing to do,” Riise said.

Meanwhile, as Liverpool seek reinforcements, another English giant is trying their best to keep hold of their stars.

The future of Arsenal star Alexis Sanchez is still in the air, with the Chilean yet to pen a new deal despite his current contract expiring in 12 months.

The 28-year-old has scored more goals than any other and ex-Arsenal defender Mikael Silvestre believes it is imperative he stays.

“It’s key to keep your top players if you want to win trophies and there is no question about Alexis Sanchez’s qualities,” said the Frenchman, who is in town along with Riise to promote the Masters clash between Liverpool and Arsenal.

“I think it’s easier to keep him and spend a bit more than expected (to do that), rather than try to go to the market and find such a good player, so there should be a big effort from the Arsenal board to keep him for the (next) few seasons.”

Silvestre, who joined Arsenal in 2014 and played two seasons under Arsene Wenger, also backed his compatriot to continue leading the club despite growing calls for the 67-year-old to step down, particularly after they missed out on Champions League qualification.

“He’s a very intelligent manager,” the 39-year-old said of Arsenal’s longest-serving manager, who took over in 1996. “His football knowledge is not only about the game but everything around it.

“He’s signed a new three-year deal and the fans have to get on board and support the team, because the question is over — he’s staying. The FA Cup is again in the Arsenal trophy cabinet, which is good, so hopefully the team can build on that.”

Both Silvestre and Riise have hung up their playing boots. Silvestre is now finishing up a masters in sports management, while Riise is working on a biography in addition to his coaching badges.

The pair also appear on television as pundits, but are relishing the opportunity to face off in November at the National Stadium.

“You have some good names coming, so there should be goals,” said Silvestre, who will be joined by the likes of Robert Pires and Ray Parlour.

Riise is determined to come out on top, though. “I really like Singapore, the fans are unbelievable. We will have fun with the fans but we will be serious on the pitch because we want to win!”

WHAT: Liverpool Masters vs Arsenal Masters

WHEN: November 11, 7pm kick-off

WHERE: National Stadium

TICKETS: Start from S$20, available from June 15. Visit www.mastersfootball.com or www.sportshub.com.sg/sportshubtix/

CURRENT TEAM LIST (more names to be confirmed)

Arsenal: Ray Parlour, Robert Pires, Nigel Winterburn, Gilberto Silva, Mikael Silvestre

Liverpool: David James, Steve McManaman, John Arne Riise, Luis Garcia.