Sven-Goran Eriksson says it will be ‘dream’ to lead out Liverpool legends side at Anfield

Sven-Goran Eriksson says it will be “like a dream” to lead out a Liverpool legends team against a side of former Ajax greats at Anfield on Saturday.

Former England boss Eriksson, who is a lifelong Liverpool fan, disclosed his terminal cancer diagnosis in January.

“When I was a manager I always dreamed about [managing] Liverpool but it never happened,” he said.

“It was close once. There were some discussions once, many years ago.

“It’s like a dream. I could never have dreamed of it. It must be the best atmosphere in the world and part of that is the song when the players walk out – You’ll Never Walk Alone.

“When they asked, I thought it was a joke. Of course I would come to a Legends match. It is for charity, which makes it even more lovely.”

The 76-year-old Swede was the first foreign coach to manage England, taking over in 2001 and guiding the side to the quarter-finals of the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as the last eight of the 2004 Euros during his five-year tenure.

And while he said he had “no opinion” on the current row over the Three Lions new kit he does expect Gareth Southgate’s side to prosper at this summer’s Euros in Germany.

“I think they have a huge chance to win the Euros,” Eriksson added.

“France good, Portugal maybe, but England have a very strong team and even if they have two or three injuries they are still very strong because it is not just the first 11, they can put in other players.

“If you are the coach or manager of England, that for me is the biggest job you can ever had. We didn’t win anything but I was extremely proud and happy every day I had that job because it is one of the biggest jobs in the world. It is very special.”