Dirk Kuyt is undoubtedly a Liverpool cult hero, but today revealed that he might never have played for the Reds.
- By Michael Statham
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In an interview with FourFourTwo, Kuyt revealed that he received interest from Martin Jol, then manager of Tottenham. “A year before I left for Liverpool, I had the opportunity to go to Tottenham Hotspur. But it was on the last day of the transfer window and at that time I did not want to leave Feyenoord,” admitted the 36-year-old.
“Liverpool was the most interested club after that, although the negotiations lasted a while. Other clubs were interested, such as Athlético Madrid. That is also a very nice club, but when I heard about the interest from Liverpool, they were the only club I wanted to go to. Since childhood I have always found them a nice club,” said the Feyenoord captain.
Kuyt is famed for his never-say-die attitude and his willingness to run all match every match. “I’ve always felt tremendously fit throughout my career,” stated Kuyt. “That said, I can’t remember many matches in which I have played totally pain free. If you want to achieve something, you have to make sacrificies and deal with the pain. I think I’ve played in only five to ten percent of my games totally pain free.”
He wouldn’t have been such a hero in Rotterdam if he’d signed for our old rivals at Tottenham and we have the connection with Liverpool as Feyenoorders sing ynwa in de Kuip but Dirkie is highly respected wherever he’s played.