Erik Meijer, Liverpool's cult hero

Erik Meijer

Birthdate: 2 August 1969

Birthplace: Meersen, Netherlands

Other clubs: Fortuna Sittard (1987-89), Antwerp (1989-91), Eindhoven (loan 1989-90), Fortuna Sittard (loan 2 / 1990-91), MVV Maastricht (1991-93), PSV Eindhoven (1993-95), KFC Uerdingen 05 (1995-96), Bayer Leverkusen (1996-99), Preston North End (loan 2000), Hamburger SV (2000-03), Alemannia Aachen (2003-06)

Bought from: Free Transfer

Signed for LFC: Bosman, 01.07.1999

International debut: 24.03.1993 vs. San Marino

International caps: 1/0

Win ratio: 48.15% W: 13 D: 8 L: 6

LFC league games/goals: 24 / 0

Total LFC games/goals: 27 / 2

Q1. You played with Ronaldo at PSV, Did you believe at the time he would go on to be the player he was to be?

Yes! The first impression he made on the first training I will never forget. He was so unbelievable good,quick and had a perfect eye for the space around him. As extra info, he was just 17 when he arrived in Eindhoven!!

Q2. How did the move to Liverpool come about?

I played 3 good seasons at Bayer Leverkusen and played a good champions league round the last year. In the bundesliga we were just behind Münich ,as always.Gerard houllier called me: ” do you want to play for LFC, and I almost screamed,YES, YES, YES, but controlled my self:)

Q3. Who impressed you the most during your time at LFC?

Maybe not one special, but the high quality of the squad. And on my position I had 3 English internationals to fight with. Owen, fowler, Heskey. A hell of a job.

Stevie Gerard ,as a very young kid,with his big feet, made an impression with his way of playing the long balls, Wow!!!

Q4. There is a story that yourself and a few players went to a boxing contest in the MEN in Manchester, things kicked off in the crowd and you had to settle things down..true or false?

Oh. We went to the boxing contest, that’s true. But I didn’t knock someone down, hahaha. The boxing matches were not that good. No blood, no big fight….

Q5. You are also a patron of AFC Liverpool how did that come about?They asked me! I said YES, so now I have to find a free weekend to go over to Liverpool and play a game with AFC, I hope in 2014.

Q6. You joined the LFC fans in Dortmund for the UEFA Cup final , was it good mixing with the fans like that?

Don’t tell my wife, but that was one of my best days till now.:):) I went with my two best friends and my physio . He was with me because I was injured. We had a great time on the square. Singing YNWA, drinking a beer and at the end ,in the stadium , we Saw a 5-4!! Fantastic!!!

Q7. As an ex-Dutch international, how do you think Holland will get on in next summers World Cup?

Our squad is okay. But we are more then okay when robben and Van persie are in a good shape. So we beat the English in the first round and then we have to be lucky!!:)

Q8. Finally Erik what are you up to these days?

Well, I’m working for SKY in Germany, doing analyses for all the champions league matches. And I work for FOX in holland as an expert. I analyse the Dutch league, Serie A and the premier league with some ex footy players. Good fun.

So I travel between, Amsterdam, Münich and Maastricht (where I live)

I also do speeches about my carrier for business people and football clubs , tell them my ups,downs,leaders I met, funny situation etc etc etc

Eriks message to Liverpool fans

All the best and hope to see you soon.

Next time I want to see a game from the kop side, not the main stands, when I’m in Liverpool, so we have to stay in touch..