At times in 2011 it was relatively easy to forget that Liverpool had sold the once magical Fernando Torres for £50m and replaced him with £35m Andy Carroll and £22m Luis Suarez. As the January transfer window closed, many on the Kop were becoming incredibly excited at the prospect of a new ‘little ‘n’ large’ strike partnership. But few expected Dirk Kuyt to steal the show.
As Carroll struggled with injury, Suarez undoubtedly became an immediate star – his dazzling performances wowed fans up and down the country – yet ‘Duracell Dirk’ weighed in with a number of highly commendable goals. The perfect example of their fantastic partnership came in the 3-1 drubbing of Manchester United in March. Luis Suarez ran rings around the Red Devils’ defence, lending a considerable hand in all three goals, but it was the Dutchman’s intuition for goalscoring that allowed him to claim a hat-trick – albeit from a combined distance of seven yards from goal!
In fact, the Dutch international finished the season as the team’s top scorer, with a total of 15 goals – 13 of which came in the league. This feat is all the more remarkable considering Kuyt was often deployed as a right midfielder, as has been the case for a large majority of his Anfield career.
Bought by Rafael Benitez as a central striker, he was shifted to right midfield in just his second season at the club. Few would argue with this decision, as Fernando Torres became a Kop king as he broke record after record as a lone striker, but Kuyt’s most effective attribute – his goalscoring – was quelled considerably. Not once did Kuyt moan though, and his professional attitude has seen him develop into a successful wide player.
A regular starter in a Dutch team that reached the 2010 World Cup Final, Kuyt is often poorly misjudged as simply a workhouse with no technical prowess. However, those who watch him week in, week out will appreciate his strength, clever movement, and predatory instincts.
Dalglish is still likely to start the season with Carroll as his preferred centre forward – especially as Suarez will be missing for the curtain raiser against Sunderland – but Kuyt definitely offers another quality option upfront.
I honestly believe he is quality and has to be in the first eleven even if everyone is fit.
We can’t waste him, he’s 31, fitter than most 22 year olds but it’s not going to last forever. He doesn’t rely on speed, his strengths are stamina, intelligence and let’s face it, he loves the big occassion, nothing phases this guy…
Suarez, carroll and kuyt patrolling the attack would scare anyone.
Kuyt shud be deployed as a stricker, d real position he shud be playing.
he is qulaity and will….. i believe he is quickly adapable to any position even if we put him in attacking midfield which could be suited for him due to his high stamina..!
he is player imp for lfc after lucas..!!
yea wan him to score another hat trick against the man u team, which is the team to beat at the moment.. beatin them home n away will be vital..
I think liverpool need to buy wide player on the right and use kuyt as back striker for carroll and suarez.
Kuyt is a quelity at right winge will dont need any right winger 4 what he did last season.
How the hell is one of Hollands best attacking players playing near to his true & therefore best form a headache for Kenny ?
This isnt 1989 & a dilemma of how to accommodate Rushie , Aldo & Beardsley in the one team , the game has moved on & the financial revolution the Premiership has brought has seen squads almost double in size .
If Dirk Kuyt can genuinely challenge the front men Kenny went out & staked his reputation on by buying then I will be both surprised & pleased .
The simple fact Kenny has chosen to keep him is a credit to Kuyt because most managers want to sweep out the old regimes main men ASAP to make sure there is no conflict of loyalty .
Kuyts Tactical & technical excellence has seen him make valuable contributions from the right of Midfield & as a striker & like Maxi his game reached near enough their true levels under Kenny because if theres one thing Kenny likes in a Liverpool player its the ability to pass n move & both Kuyt & maxi are very clever team players .
As for Kuyts tap ins ?
A forward cant regularly score tap ins unless the team has played well enough to create those chances & Teams cant win leagues unless they are playing well enough to create & put away a lot of tap ins .
Ian Rush , Gary Lineker , Clive Allen , John Aldridge , Andy Cole , Robbie Fowler & Micheal Owen are all good examples of players who scored a lotta goals from within 10 yards not because they are lazy or lucky but because they were & are tactically very clever & have the knack of being in the right place at the right time .
I Hope Kuyt hits 40 tap ins for us next season !
Once the ball goes over that white line its a goal , just ask Chelsea , that is if they have stopped crying about Luis Garcia’s screamer in the CL Semi finals of 05 !
AHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!
FUCK YOU CHELSKI !!!