Dirk Kuyt has recalled the moment that he found out Fernando Torres was signing for Liverpool and revealed the first thing he did upon learning of the transfer.
The Dutchman had been at Anfield for a year when he was joined by the Spaniard in 2007, with the latter costing a then-club record £20m from Atletico Madrid (BBC Sport) and arriving with a lofty reputation.
The former Netherlands international gave an interview to The Athletic in which he looked back upon his time with the Reds, and he spoke of how he discovered that he’d have a new high-profile teammate.
Kuyt said: “In my first season, I was Liverpool’s top scorer (in the Premier League, with 12). Before my second season, I was on my sunbed on holiday in Aruba, relaxing and reading the papers, when I saw that a guy called Fernando Torres was joining. I got off my sunbed and started running!”
Despite an excellent first year at Liverpool, which ended with his consolation goal in the Champions League final defeat to AC Milan, Kuyt clearly interpreted Torres’ signing as heightened competition for a place in Rafa Benitez’s starting XI.
The Spanish striker hit the ground running and quickly proved undroppable, scoring 33 goals in his first season with the Reds. He’d eventually go on to net 81 times in 142 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt).
However, the manager found a way to get both players into his line-up, with the Dutchman moving to the right flank while El Nino thrived at centre-forward.
Kuyt’s anecdote about him instantly going for a run upon learning of Torres’ arrival also highlights the ever-professional attitude he demonstrated at Liverpool, with James Pearce pointing out in the piece for The Athletic how the now 43-year-old’s ‘unwavering commitment and willingness to play in various positions endeared him to supporters’ at Anfield.
Rather than being rivals for the one place in the team, the two players ended up nicely complementing each other in the same side under Benitez, who most certainly got the best out of them both on Merseyside.
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