Dirk Kuyt has warned Liverpool to beware the "power" of the Fenerbahce fanbase as he prepares to upset his former club in the Champions League. The Reds are looking to maintain their 100% start to this season's competition when they take on the Turkish side in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.
Kuyt's Interim Role at Fenerbahce
Kuyt was recently named as temporary boss of Fenerbahce having only joined in June as assistant to Ismail Karal, who resigned last week after a disappointing start to the campaign. Fener are in fifth place in the Turkish Super Lig having lost four of their 10 games, and have taken only two points from their first three matches in the Champions League having qualified for the tournament proper for the first time in 18 years.
While Fenerbahce were thumped 6-0 at Aston Villa, they have drawn at home against both Roma and Slavia Prague with another sell-out crowd expected at the Chobani Stadium.
Kuyt's Warning on Fan Power
Kuyt said: "It's a big opportunity for Fenerbahce. We have a very good plan, the players need to show they believe in the plan, and if we show that with passion and energy, my biggest hope is the fans show themselves to Europe, and Europe will see how difficult it is to play against us. From the first moment the players enter the pitch, I'm 100% convinced the fans will be behind us. That will be our biggest power, our biggest chance to have a good performance and hopefully a good result."
He added: "We have really good players but we need to show up. When we show up tomorrow with good energy, with passion and there to play, I think it can be a very special night. Liverpool are an amazing team but so are Fenerbahce. If the fans show up, I think Europe will see how big this fanbase is. If it goes well, it could be something special. If the crowd are behind us, the people in Europe won't believe what they see."
Kuyt's Liverpool Connection
Kuyt spent six years at Liverpool as a player - scoring in the Champions League final defeat to AC Milan in 2007 - before departing for three years at Fenerbahce. He said: "As soon as the draw came up, as a technical member of the staff I was really excited because everyone knows how much Fenerbahce and Liverpool mean to me. From that moment, you know it's going be a special occasion. Of course (it) will be a very, very special occasion for me. But at the stage we are in, I'm not the important person. It's the club."
Fenerbahce have a number of former Premier League players in their squad, including ex-Manchester City duo Ederson and Nathan Ake, former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, one-time Chelsea man N'Golo Kante, Manchester United academy graduate Mason Greenwood and former Everton, Chelsea and United forward Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku on Karal's Departure
Lukaku believes the players will be driven by the desire to atone for the departure of Karal as head coach. He said: "It's obviously not good when a coach leaves as you could see he is somebody from the club. It was tough to see because every time we had a bad result, it would really eat away at him. Now it's up to us to make sure we go on an upward curve. We are playing for a big club that is known for delivering big performances."
He added: "This will be another opportunity for us to show up, it's a big game, a Champions League game, and I think the fans will be behind us. It's up to the players to take responsibility and make sure the fans go home happy."
