You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

He was the Liverpool cult hero famed for his non-stop running and knack of scoring important goals.

So no wonder Dirk Kuyt believes he would have enjoyed playing under Jurgen Klopp.

Kuyt remains a favourite among the Anfield faithful having spent six years at the club after arriving in 2006.

The Dutchman, who netted 71 goals in 285 appearances, is now back at former club Feyenoord but retains a strong interest in the Reds.

And asked if he’d fit into the current side under Klopp, Kuyt says: “Judging from a distance, I think I would, yes.

“I don’t really know him, of course, and I don’t know how he trains, but from everything I’ve seen, I think he’s a manager I would’ve liked to play for.”

Kuyt was talking during a question and answer session in the latest edition of FourFourTwo magazine.

During his Anfield career, the 35-year-old netted in every round of the Champions League, from the qualifiers straight through to scoring in Liverpool’s 2-1 final defeat to AC Milan in 2007.

But Kuyt has told of how his dreams of playing in Athens were nearly dashed by one of his own team-mates.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

“Losing the final was one of my biggest disappointments,” he says. “To be honest, I was happy that I was playing in that match at all.

“When we were in the training camp before the final, the squad went go-karting. I didn’t join in, as I wanted to rest a small injury, but I went along to watch and picked a safe-looking spot to stand beside the track with Rafa.

“Out of nowhere, Peter Crouch drove straight at me at roughly 35mph. He couldn’t brake!

“The only think I could do was jump in the air, and in the end I just managed to jump over Peter, and he crashed into cardboard boxes behind me.

“I was within a whisker of having my ankles torn to pieces, and would surely have missed the Champions League final.

“Crouchy’s face was as pale as dear, he’d had some kind of blackout. Fortunately everything was all right.”

Kuyt had scored the deciding penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Chelsea at Anfield, an evening that continues to resonate.

“It was actually a bit of a haze, as it was such an incredible, nerve-wracking game,” he says.

“I remember scoring in extra time – a goal which would have decided the tie – but it was wrongly disallowed.

“During the penalty shoot-out I was focused on trying to reach the final.

“It then became apparent that I could decide the game with our fourth kick.

“I can still hear the noise in the stadium after slotting the ball home. It was one of my most special nights Anfield.”

Kuyt revealed he remains in touch with former colleagues from his time at Anfield, most notably Steven Gerrard.

“He’s the best player that I have ever played with,” he adds. “He had everything: speed, an incredible shot, but he was also someone who kept going for the 90 minutes and did not shy away from challenges.

“He was a born leader, in his own way. He was so versatile and it was fantastic to play in a team with him. I had a good bond with him.

“We played together for six years and have remained in contact ever since.”

The February edition of FourFourTwo is out now, priced £4.99.