Westerveld: I'm a Blue now
Former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld is optimistic he will win over Everton fans during his 28-day loan spell at Goodison Park.
The Dutchman, who was Liverpool’s number one in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons, has joined Everton on loan from Portsmouth to help them out of a goalkeeping crisis and will go straight into the side for Saturday’s Barclays Premiership clash at Newcastle.
Everton gained special dispensation to sign Westerveld because Nigel Martyn and Richard Wright are injured while Iain Turner is suspended, leaving just teenager John Ruddy available, and the fourth-choice youngster will be on the bench at St James’ Park.
Westerveld, 31, understands the rivalry on Merseyside and aims to instantly win over the blue fans.
He said: “I don’t think the fans ever forget you were a Liverpool man but if you play well then they make your time easier. That is what I will try to do, help the team.
“They have asked me to do the job and hopefully I can produce. I know how passionate the fans are in this city.
“I always said that I liked the derbies the most, the fans are unbelievable in those games and I like to play at Goodison as well.
“I don’t know if this move is going to be a strange one for the fans but I didn’t hesitate fr one minute. It is football and you have to think about yourself sometimes, and not think about emotions or difficult situations.
“I have been a red and now I am a blue, all I can do is do my best and hopefully the fans will back me up.”
Westerveld, talking to Toffees TV, said: “I am really excited. I haven’t been playing for a couple of weeks and I had a difficult time at Portsmouth.
“This is an opportunity for me and I am hoping to help the team. And I hope they help me and it will all be very positive.
“The move happened quickly. I was on my way to the Chelsea v Barcelona game on Wednesday and they phoned me just before so I went straight home. I was really excited and the gaffer called me and asked me to play for Everton.
“I said yes immediately without thinking and this is obviously a chance to put myself in the shop window again.
“Hopefully we will get good results and take it from there. I hope to play as many games as possible and then look forward to next season.
“I am looking forward to joining a team that is doing well. When you are at a team at the bottom, everything is really difficult; difficult games, difficult situation. There is the pressure as well.”
Everton boss David Moyes moved for Westerveld when Arsenal pulled the plug on a deal to take Mart Poom because the Gunners would not have been able to re-register him for the Champions League once he had moved on loan.
