1 Feb 2012

Dirk Kuyt: "It was difficult and mentally challenging..."

After a long barren spell in the premier league, Dirk Kuyt finally scored his 50th league goal for Liverpool last night. The Dutchman has been in and out of the team this season, but he's delivered at a time when the club really needed it, and he's confident that Liverpool can now push on and secure a coveted champions league place.

Speaking to LFC TV after the game, Kuyt was enthusiastic about the club's chances of making the top four:

"After Bolton, we were really disappointed, but in one week, we've changed everything. Everyone is really happy in the dressing room, and we can't wait to be involved in the next game and to reach that Champions League spot".

Kuyt's winning goal against Manchester United in the FA Cup last Saturday won him a starting place in last night's game against Wolves, which he acknowledged was one of the most mentally challenging games of the season:

"This game was mentally the most difficult game after the Carling Cup and FA Cup games. It was a really important game for us, and we're really happy with the result, and the way we played the game. It was a great team performance, and that shows with three different people scoring".

Kuyt has a history of barren spells at Liverpool, and prior to his goal last night, it had been 8 months since he scored in the league. His 50th goal puts him in a very select class of Dutch players who've achieved that feat, inlcuding Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Dennis Bergkamp, Robin Van Persie, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy:

"To score my 50th league goal is something that makes me really proud. It took me a while but that's what happens in football sometimes. There are not many Dutch players who've done that, and the ones that have are legends, not only in Holland, but all over the world".

Kuyt recently admitted that he finds it 'very difficult' to sit on the sidelines, and that he is 'the type of player who needs games in a row', to be effective, and he again reiterated his desire to stay in the starting line-up:

"It's great to have the competition, but as a player, you want to be involved on the pitch, and that's why I'm happy with the last three performances I've had".

Kenny Dalglish has regularly dropped players to the bench after scoring this season, and with Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez to come back against Spurs, Kuyt will probably find himself back on the bench again.

I think it's possible that this will be Kuyt's last season at Liverpool. Earlier this week, Kuyt’s agent Rob Jansen told Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf:

"A large number of clubs in Europe hold a real interest in Dirk and it’s true that there are clubs in Italy, but Liverpool won’t let Dirk go".

The club won't let him go in January, but it may be a different story in the summer. Kuyt has been a great servant for Liverpool, but finding a top class right-winger/midfielder has to be a priority in the summer (IMO).


Jaimie Kanwar


10 comments:

  1. how long has it been since 3 different strikers scored in the same game for us?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Morning!

    First and foremost, really nice to get those three points, it was the first game this season I've not been able to watch in some sort of format but sounds pretty convincing and it also sounds like Henderson and Carroll are building on recent performances with another encouraging performance, it seems as though I was right about the Bolton game being a kick up the backside, although I appreciate there's a hell of a long way to go. Wouldn't it be great if we got 4-6 points (preferably 6) in our next two games against Spurs and the Mancs? I think things are looking up.

    As for Kuyt, he's been a great servant to the club, and he has scored some really important goals, it would be nice to have him til he retired but he won't be happy being a bit part player I feel, which if we want to be in the top four, he would have to be. I personally don't feel he has ever been the best winger, but I don't think he's really a top striker, he misses some sitters, but he is definitely a good hard working player who brings something to the team, it'd be nice if he stayed but if he left for more playing time I wouldn't begrudge him that. YNWA DIRKY

    ReplyDelete
  3. Exeter in the cup!

    ReplyDelete
  4. have to agree with you pal, dirk is a good honest hardworking player but unfortunately he's ageing now and we really need someone world class in that position. If he's prepared to be a squad player then i've no problem with him staying because he's one of the senior players at the club and he's run himself into the ground for us, but if he decided he wants more first team chances and wants to move i'm sure no one will begrudge him that. He'll go with our best wishes, and will be welcome back anytime.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dirk is an honest grafter with a big heart but Liverpool need better quality. If there are clubs knocking the door down for him I will be surprised but I wish him well when he goes

    ReplyDelete
  6. Agree with the Kuyt comments, we've been here 100 times with him. He has great days, good days, bad days, but we need someone younger, faster and with a bit more flair. It would be sad to see him go but if we want to progress it needs to happen, otherwise we will be going through this cycle of good-indifferent-poor all over again. Personally, I think that he should look to move to a team in the French or German league or go back to Holland. And then return to our coaching set up when he retires. Don't think that he should even think about Serie A or Spain. 

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kuyt will be gone by the start of next season, he has always been a player that works hard for the team but with new arrivals in the summer he will struggle to get a regular spot. He has already stated that he does not like the idea of sitting on the bench. Here is hoping he gets the chance to lift a well deserved trophy as a Liverpool player before his exit.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, I meant in the league

    ReplyDelete
  9. What we need and what is available for the cash we have available is leagues apart, fortunately Bellamy is in his second childhood Kuyt has broken the 50 duck at last. Carroll has found his scoring boots at last and Suarez is back after one more game.  Maybe time to blood a couple of the kids even if only for 15 mins at the end of the game.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good luck to Kuyt if/when he goes elsewhere.  I've always loved him and if only everyone gave as much as he gives!  I'll miss him but always things have to move on of course.  I really hope too that he gets his hands on some silverware this season at last.

    ReplyDelete