Eleven years on, former Liverpool favourite Dirk Kuyt has revealed he has been unable to forgive his “best mate” Robin van Persie for one thing – signing for Manchester United.

The Dutch duo wrote themselves into Premier League history throughout their stays in England, Van Persie as one of the best finishers the league has ever seen and Kuyt as an Anfield folk legend.

Both arriving to the English top-flight from Feyenoord – Van Persie in 2004 and Kuyt following in 2006 – and featuring heavily in a golden era for the Netherlands’ national team, there is plenty of history between the two former professionals.

In the late 00s era they were involved in some tasty clashes between the Reds and Arsenal, though both clubs ultimately experienced shortcomings in title races with Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United. The Scottish manager eventually did the unthinkable and poached Van Persie from the Gunners, a move that saw the striker net 26 goals in the 2012/13 season to help his new club to a 20th title.

The move famously outraged supporters in North London, and it appears it also left one more man – Kuyt – jokingly frustrated.

Featuring on talkSPORT’s Tuesday afternoon show alongside ex-Sunderland striker Darren Bent and host Andy Goldstein, the former Liverpool forward was asked to play regular game ‘Start, Bench or Sell’, having to hypothetically elect three chosen former team-mates to each role.

He was handed the options out of former Reds team-mates Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres as well as Van Persie – a decision he immediately labelled a “tough” one.

Explaining that he keeps contact with both of his ex-Liverpool colleagues, he opted to start Suarez because he “had a great time with him”, although admitting it was not as long as he hoped for. Kuyt was sold by the Reds chiefs just 18 months after the Uruguayan’s arrival.

He then said he would bench Torres because although enjoying a longer period with the Spaniard, “he went to Chelsea.”

That left Dutch team-mate Van Persie to be hypothetically sold, and for one good reason: “I’m selling my best mate because we had a great time at the Dutch national team but he should never have went to Manchester United.”

Arsenal supporters in particular may resonate with Kuyt, and Liverpool supporters too given the bitter rivalry with the club at the other end of the M62. With a Premier League title to his name as a result though, Van Persie may argue otherwise.