Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt will not let sentiment get in the way of three points when he returns to former club Utrecht in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Netherlands forward spent the first five years of his career at the Eredivisie club before moving on to Feyenoord.

Kuyt will return to the Stadion Galgenwaard with the Reds for a European tie on Thursday after recovering from a shoulder injury and is looking forward to meeting up with a few old friends.

However, it will be business first for the 30-year-old forward, with Liverpool in need of Europa League Group K points.

"It means a lot to go back," he told the club's official website."They are the club that gave me the opportunity to play professional football.

"I had five years there and really enjoyed it. I was really happy for the opportunity they gave me.

"I don't know a lot of players there now. There are just two or three that still play for the team, but I also know a few guys who work at the club so it'll be nice to go back and see them.

"We want to get a result. If we beat Utrecht in Utrecht, it will be great because we would have six points in the group already and we would almost be in the next round.

"We work every day with this team and know we have the quality. It's just a matter of time until we get results."Subscribe to Football FanCast News Headlines by Email