Former Liverpool Star Dirk Kuyt Opens Up About Raheem Sterling Relationship
Former Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has made a surprising admission about his relationship with Raheem Sterling during their time together at Anfield, revealing he "didn't like" the England international following his controversial move to Manchester City.
Sterling's Dramatic Career Shift to Feyenoord
The revelation comes as Sterling attempts to resurrect his career at Dutch giants Feyenoord, where he joined on a short-term deal until the end of the season in January. The 31-year-old reached an agreement to terminate his contract with Chelsea after failing to make a single appearance for the Blues in the first half of the campaign.
Sterling's situation at Chelsea deteriorated significantly over his three-and-a-half year stint at Stamford Bridge, with the attacker eventually forced to train alone and effectively frozen out of the first-team setup. His last senior football appearance came back in May 2025 during a loan spell with Arsenal, where he played an hour in a 2-1 victory over Southampton.
Kuyt's Candid Assessment of Sterling's Career
Kuyt, who represented Feyenoord across two spells either side of his six-year stint with Liverpool, offered a frank assessment of his former teammate when speaking to ESPN. "That was quite a few years ago. He was aged 16 then," Kuyt recalled of their time together at Liverpool.
"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."
The Dutch international expressed hope that Sterling can rediscover his best form in the Netherlands, drawing parallels with Jordan Henderson's recent move to rivals Ajax. "I hope he shows his best," Kuyt added. "He hasn't played for a while, but I always say: you never lose certain qualities."
Sterling's Current Situation at Feyenoord
Sterling was recently pictured watching from the stands as Feyenoord secured a 1-0 victory over Go Ahead Eagles, a result that restored their three-point lead over third-placed Ajax in the Eredivisie table. However, the England international is still waiting to receive his work permit, meaning he is currently prohibited from training or playing alongside his new teammates.
In his first interview as a Feyenoord player, Sterling revealed how a frank conversation with head coach Robin van Persie convinced him to make the move to Rotterdam. "When someone like Robin wants to speak to you, I think you always have to answer that phone call," Sterling told the club's official website.
"It's just having dialogue with each other and having a feeling off each other, understanding what each other needs. That dialogue started initially and I could feel what person Robin and what kind of football club this is. Football is about feelings and I think I just had a very good feeling."
A Remarkable Fall and Potential Resurrection
Sterling's move to Feyenoord represents a remarkable fall from grace for a player once regarded as one of England's finest talents. The forward has collected 11 pieces of silverware throughout his career, including four Premier League titles, showcasing the undoubted talent that made him one of English football's most feared attackers.
Kuyt, despite his previous reservations about Sterling, is now eagerly anticipating watching his former teammate's progress in the Netherlands. "If his fitness is okay, and I assume it is, then I'm looking forward to watching Feyenoord's matches," Kuyt said. "I watch them all, and now with even more interest."
The coming months will determine whether Sterling can revive a career that has stalled dramatically since his Chelsea departure, with Feyenoord offering what may be his final opportunity to prove he still possesses the qualities that once made him one of England's most exciting footballers.
