Sami looking forward to emotional return

Last updated : 12 August 2012 By Kevin Smith

Now manager of Bayer Leverkusen, the former Finnish defender made 464 appearances for Liverpool from 1999 to 2009, and is looking forward to returning to Anfield in Sunday's pre-season friendly.

"It's good to be back at Anfield, and hopefully I will get a good reception from the Liverpool fans," he said. "I would like to come back here but I haven't really thought about it.

"Kenny has a special place with Liverpool but difficult to say if it was a good or bad decision to fire him.

"In football that can happen and everybody has to accept the decision. Hopefully Liverpool can return to the state of 10 years ago."