Dirk Kuyt: 'The Liverpool game is a big opportunity for Fenerbahçe'

Fenerbahçe interim head coach Dirk Kuyt has urged his players to make the most of a 'special occasion' and a 'big opportunity' ahead of their UEFA Champions League meeting with his former club Liverpool.

Fenerbahçe host Liverpool on Wednesday in the Champions League. The match carries extra significance as Kuyt comes up against his former club. The Dutchman won the League Cup with Liverpool in the 2011-12 season and reached the Champions League final in 2006-07. Kuyt contributed 9 goals and 5 assists in 37 Champions League matches for the English club.

Kuyt, who took charge of the team following Ismail Kartal's departure, began his spell on the Fenerbahçe bench with a 2-1 defeat to Göztepe at the weekend.

With Fenerbahçe still searching for their first win in this season's Champions League (2 draws, 1 defeat), Kuyt called on his players to show character against Liverpool:

"I was very excited after the draw. It was very clear that this would be a very special occasion. This match is very important to me, but what really matters right now is our club. It is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do. For me, too, it is fantastic to take the field as part of two teams that have a big place in my life. Nobody who loves Fenerbahçe is happy with the current situation, but this match is a big opportunity. We have players in our squad who have won the Champions League and the World Cup."

This match will be the first ever meeting between Fenerbahçe and Liverpool. The English side have won only 4 of their 11 matches against Turkish teams in the European Cup and the Champions League (2 draws, 5 defeats).

Fenerbahçe, who drew 2-2 with Slavia Prague in their last Champions League outing, are enduring the longest winless run in their history in the competition (10 matches – 4 draws, 6 defeats).