Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt names all-time XI of ex-team-mates with a surprise inclusion and some major snubs
LIVERPOOL legend Dirk Kuyt has raised a few eyebrows after he named his all-time XI of former team-mates.
There were some noticeable absentees as well as a surprise inclusion in the Dutchman’s team.
Kuyt spent six years at the Anfield club and finished runner-up in the Champions League during his time there.
The forward revealed his line-up and there were some big players left out.
The first major snub was in goal with Edwin Van der Sar losing out to Pepe Reina.
The Dutch goalkeeper had an incredible career winning the Champions League and Premier League during his time at Manchester United.
Although it is easy to understand why Kuyt went with Reina having played 270 games with the Spanish shot stopper.
Javier Mascherano is the next noticeable absentee with the former Liverpool and Barcelona man missing out to Xabi Alonso at the base of the midfield in a decision which could have gone either way.
There was no place for Martin Skrtel in the back three with the Slovak missing out to Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger.
Further up the pitch Rafael van der Vaart lost out to his Dutch team-mate Wesley Sneijder in the No10 position, with the latter playing a starring role as Inter Milan won the treble and Holland made the World Cup final in 2010.
Kuyt even omitted himself from the team with the frontline being made up of Luis Suarez, Arjen Robben and Robin Van Persie.
A major shock was Rafael Benitez – Kuyt’s manager for much of his time at Liverpool – missing out to his national team coach Louis Van Gaal.
And a surprise inclusion was former Chelsea and Liverpool man Raul Meireles, who makes the bench along with Fernando Torres and Van der Sar.