Prior to the Champions League clash between Liverpool and Real Madrid this week, Dutch outlet Voetbal International called a former Red to talk about the club’s form.
That’s Dirk Kuyt, who played for the club between 2006 and 2012, with 285 appearances for the Anfield side.
Their conversation started with them speaking about the Dutch players who’ve featured for Liverpool, and Kuyt had huge compliments to Virgil van Dijk, claiming the defender was one of the main reasons why the Reds won big titles in the last few years.
“Virgil is now a celebrity at the club. Together with Alisson Becker, he formed the missing puzzle piece on the way to the Premier League title and the Champions League victory,” Kuyt told Voetbal International (via FC Update).
Regarding Liverpool’s clash against Real Madrid, Kuyt was asked if the Reds can take ‘revenge’ for their Champions League finals. He admits Jurgen Klopp’s side are not at their best, but thinks it’s possible to defeat the Galacticos.
“The lost Champions League finals against Real hurt a lot. Real still have a very experienced team, with a lot of self-belief. Last season, I think Liverpool were the favourites for the final, but Real played smart.”
“Like Liverpool, Real are not in top form, but in Europe they can rise above themselves. Hopefully it will be as magical a night for Liverpool as it was in 2009.”
Liverpool and Real Madrid are playing the first leg of the Champions League’s round-of-16 at Anfield on Tuesday evening, and are then deciding the tie at the Santiago Bernabeu on the 15th of March.
But with four Premier League fixtures between one game and another, there will be a lot on the Reds’ mind until then.
