Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt has admitted he didn’t really like Raheem Sterling when he came through at Anfield earlier in his career.
1908 cover comments from the former Liverpool striker today, made to ESPN in the Netherlands. He was discussing Sterling following his surprise arrival at Feyenoord.
Sterling signed for the Dutch side this week after being released by Chelsea. He had fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge, and the decision was made by all parties to cut short their relationship a year early.
Kuyt unimpressed
The 31-year-old had offers across Europe, including in the Premier League. But has elected to join Feyenoord until the end of the season. The Dutch side have guaranteed him the playing time that he was looking for.
He very much wants to get back on track following a miserable few years at Stamford Bridge following a €56.2m move in 2022. A loan at Arsenal in 2024 also failed to reignite the spark.
It’s been a winding career for Sterling, who began his career at QPR before moving to Liverpool’s U18s in 2010.
He was in Liverpool’s first team two years later, going on to score 23 goals and register 18 assists in 129 games. Kuyt played alongside him, but he wasn’t a fan.
“That was quite a few years ago; he was sixteen then,” he said.
“We trained together a few times and played a few matches. Ultimately, I didn’t like him that much because he quickly moved to a big rival (Manchester City). But Raheem Sterling is, of course, considered a fantastic player in English football with a tremendous record.”
Feyenoord opportunity
We’re sure Kuyt’s sentiment is one shared by most at Anfield after Sterling’s move to Manchester City in 2015.
He, though, would argue that 131 goals and 8 assists in 339 games and numerous trophies more than helped to justify it.
Now the focus is on Feyenoord, and perhaps convincing Kuyt that he’s not so bad after all. That may take some impressive displays between now and the end of the season, though.