Forward of his return to Anfield this week, treble Cup-winning goalkeeper Sander Westerveld was on good type as he mentioned Xabi Alonso, Caoimhin Kelleher and extra with This Is Anfield.
On Saturday, Westerveld will run onto the Anfield turf to play in opposition to his boyhood rivals, Ajax, as he options in aim for Liverpool Legends.
At present, the goalkeeper who occupies the house between these posts is Kelleher, who, like Westerveld, is aware of what it takes to win trophies.
In latest weeks, he has hit high type at precisely the precise time for Liverpool, and Westerveld defined what makes the backup goalkeeper’s type much more spectacular.
“Goalkeeper, it’s a tough place, particularly in the event you’re the reserve goalkeeper,” the 49-year-old informed This Is Anfield.
“It’s so tough for Caoimhin to return in and sit on the bench for like 10 video games in a row then, abruptly, growth, play the video games.
“That exhibits how good he’s, since you want a psychological state to carry out, and you can be higher by enjoying as nicely. You want a few video games to really feel and get that rhythm.”
Westerveld himself needed to take care of not at all times being first selection in his profession. After enjoying 61 of Liverpool’s 63 matches in 2000/01, he discovered himself not noted of the crew the next season.
On the cellphone to Alonso
The arrival of Jerzy Dudek and Chris Kirkland meant Westerveld moved on to Actual Sociedad, the place he was a key a part of a facet that completed simply two factors behind champions Actual Madrid in 2002/03.
Throughout his time in San Sebastian he encountered a younger Alonso, with whom he performed 76 matches for La Actual, earlier than the Spaniard’s transfer to Liverpool in August 2004.
Twenty years later, the previous midfielder is on the point of an unbelievable Bundesliga title win as Bayer Leverkusen supervisor, and is the favorite to exchange Jurgen Klopp on the finish of the season.
Westerveld stated he’s nonetheless involved and half-joked that he “may need” been on the cellphone, “pushing him” to maneuver again to Merseyside.
Regardless of Alonso now displaying unbelievable expertise as a supervisor, Westerveld admitted that he didn’t instantly stand out as a future coach compared to Dutch legends like Clarence Seedorf, Frank de Boer and Mark van Bommel.
“I may see he was a particular participant, the best way he noticed passes and noticed alternatives within the video games,” Westerveld stated.
“However it was just a bit bit too early to see him as a coach and even because the world-class participant he was.”
Why Liverpool is totally different
In addition to Liverpool and Sociedad, Westerveld performed for 9 different golf equipment – together with Everton – however insisted Liverpool is “essentially the most particular membership” he has performed for.
Talking about what make the Reds totally different, he stated: “I don’t suppose you see many golf equipment like this on the earth.
“It’s each season, one thing is there that exhibits how large Liverpool is and what Liverpool is standing for.
“Additionally, the work the LFC Basis are doing, giving again to the society in Liverpool. This 12 months I believe we helped greater than a 120,000 folks.”
In a pleasant line for a person not talking his native language, Westerveld added: “You’ll By no means Stroll Alone is a phrase for Liverpool, has been made for Liverpool and it’s every part Liverpool is fabricated from.”
Again at Anfield
As talked about, Westerveld is returning to Anfield on March 23 to play for the Legends crew in opposition to Ajax.
Within the Liverpool dugout will likely be lifelong supporter and legendary supervisor Sven-Goran Eriksson.
After the Swede introduced he was terminally sick in January, the membership obtained in contact to supply Eriksson the chance.
The previous England supervisor informed the Telegraph in 2010 that it was his “dream” to handle the Reds, earlier than including: “Liverpool will at all times maintain a particular place in my coronary heart.”
Westerveld revealed he was “one of many first ones who stated ‘hey, carry him on’,” then stated: “Liverpool is such a particular membership and I wasn’t shocked they made this gesture to carry him in.
“It’s typical Crimson household and the household Liverpool is.”
The Legends video games are at all times a superb alternative to see the Liverpool FC group coming collectively to look at some previous heroes, however extra importantly increase cash for the LFC Basis.
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