Former Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen has recently opened up on why his spell at Goodison Park did not go to plan, but revealed how fond memories of Liverpool still remain fresh in his mind.

The Dutchman had a lengthy spell at Ajax between 2011 and 2017 before making the switch to the Toffees three years ago, but never managed to get going at Everton. Indeed, Klaassen only managed 16 appearances during his spell on Merseyside.

He subsequently departed the following summer for Bundesliga side Werder Bremen, having been a clear misfit and an outcast at Goodison Park.

Klaassen returned to his former club Ajax in October and could face Everton’s arch-rivals Liverpool in the Champions League tonight at Anfield. Despite his abortive spell in the city, the 27-year-old has spoken of the ‘special feeling’ he experiences in returning to the city as he opened up on his stint with the Toffees in an interview with the Liverpool Echo. He said:

It’s quite funny to be back here – I didn’t live in the city so I never really flew into this airport. I have been here before, that was the feeling I had.

In my youth I played against Liverpool. With Everton I didn’t really play those matches so not an awful lot of experience. I played for Everton so it does give you that bit of special feeling but it’s been two-and-a-half years since I played here.

I don’t think back with a great deal of happiness or joy, no. It was quite clear that it was not a good fit – me and Everton.

I was struggling to cope with a style of play I wasn’t used to. It was a totally different style of play and it was just hard for me to feel a connection between my game and the game we played at the time in Everton.

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It was never to be for Klaassen at Everton.

A variety of factors seem to have interfered with his chances of success in English football, including the sacking of Ronald Koeman – the manger who  brought him to Merseyside – in mid-season, but it was clear from his perspective that he sees himself as a poor match.

However, Klaassen may well use Champions League football as an alternative platform to test himself at the highest level, even if his stint with the Toffees never got off the ground.