Dirk Kuyt has revealed that it will be an honour to return to Anfield for Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool testimonial later this month and that he still has fond memories of his time on Merseyside.
The Dutchman, now 34, left the Reds back in 2012 to join Fenerbahce after enjoying a six-year stint at the club in which he lifted the League Cup and was a Champions League and Premier League runner-up.
With club captain Gerrard set to leave at the end of the season to join LA Galaxy, Liverpool are ready to give him a send off on March 29 with a star-studded friendly match.
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‘Stevie G’ and Jamie Carragher will captain the two teams, while big names such as Xabi Alonso and Luis Suarez will take part alongside their former team-mates.
And Kuyt – who remains a cult hero at the club thanks to his tireless playing style – is also set to be involved, and he says that receiving the call brought back fond memories for him:
“To get the call was very exciting because I’ve never been back and it will be very special just to go back to Liverpool, to see the people, to go back to Melwood and say ‘hello’ to everyone.” He is quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“Rekindling memories I will never forget. I know a lot has changed since I’ve been gone.
“There’s almost no-one left there anymore [from the squad I played with]. But when I got the phone call about the game, it was a bit emotional.
“To have the chance to go back one more time to Anfield, and to play with some of the team-mates who I played with during my six years, will be amazing.”
“It’s just a very positive feeling because you never expect these kinds of things to come back.
“When I closed the door behind me after six years at Liverpool, you’ll never forget the memories you had – the Champions League nights, the special days at Anfield.
“You never forget them. But you never expect to go back and play one more time at Anfield – and on such a special occasion.”
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