Former Liverpool player Jamie Redknapp raised the issue of Dirk Kuyt’s future in his column in the Daily Mail recently:
“Dirk Kuyt has scored seven goals in his last six Barclays Premier League games and has once again proved his value to Liverpool, but I wonder if he faces a fight to get into Kenny Dalglish’s team next season. They need width and to sign wide players to supply Andy Carroll, especially, and Luis Suarez next season. That could lead to a substitute role for the Dutchman.”
Kuyt only recently signed a new deal, and will be hopeful of replicating his excellent form in the closing parts of this campaign going into next season. Although some Reds fans still question the quality of the Dutch forward, I have never been one to criticise the player. He is certainly not one of Liverpool’s most skilful players, but you know what you get from the player. You get highwork rate and 100% effort in every match, and although that doesn’t solely mean you should deserve a first team place every week, his current goal scoring form means he is a key player for Kenny Dalglish’s team.
Despite Kuyt’s excellent form however, Redknapp is right to highlight whether Kuyt will be a regular first team player next season. It is not because he isn’t good enough to hold down a first team place, it is more to do with how Liverpool set up formation wise next season. Redknapp anticipates the Reds to stay with the 4-4-2 formation which has served Kenny Dalglish well in the run in at the end of the season, and he assumes that to get the best out of Andy Carroll, wide players will be needed, displacing Dirk Kuyt as first choice.
Continue Reading on Page 2 . . .
To be quite honest i think the kuyt, Suarez partnership has been the best so far. Carroll is the future but we Kuyt is doing the business now!!
I agree with Tun. Kuyt and Suarez looked lethal upfront. Man U and Birmingham matches are testaments.
Kuyt should be here to stay as long as his work-rate remains as is and his understanding with both Suarez and Meireles (pardon the spelling) continues. We should be looking for fullbacks capable of getting down the line and crossing for Carrol the youngsters are doing well and like Carrol are the future but for the next season or two at least a new left back and dont forget Whilst Kelly has been very prommising at right back his chosen position is central defence and Jamie is’nt geting any younger…..
Kuyt really confuses me, sometimes I cant stand him and some I love him so for that reason I think he’ll still be a big part of the squad next year. He’s taken the Garcia role of being frustrating and effective at the same time to a new level particularly this season. YNWA Dirk!!!
If hopefully we buy quality wingers in the summer, then it is the role of a “support” striker for Kuyt next season, and he will be starting matches from the bench most likely.
Make no mistake he is a great asset to have in the squad purely for his work rate and devotion to the club.
my only problem with kuyt has been the lack of an alternative. all liverpool fans know what he offers and its no coincidence that his best games are against the best teams but when his particular brand of effort and endeavour doesn’t work we, currently, have no alternative and that is where my frustration stems. but it always seems to be the case that when the business end of the season arrives so does dirk. gotta love him!
“Redknapp anticipates the Reds to stay with the 4-4-2 formation which has served Kenny Dalglish well in the run in at the end of the season”
Sorry Jamie, which 442?!
I think he will get a similar role as Park at United.
I wouldn’t have an issue with that, but his comments about taking a diminished role for his country lead me to believe that he wouldn’t accept a bench role at LFC and as such I want the club to cash in asap while he still holds his value in the transfer market
For me dirk kuyt always can give us 100% commitment when playing.but he cannot play 3 games in one weeks coz of age.but i love to see him keeping running till the end of the game.YNWA
For me Dirk has been our best player this season, I would drop Caroll before Kuyt!
Kuyt plays any position he’s put in to the best of his ability and always delivers…
His position is secure playing RM, so theres no need for a right sided first choices to come in…
if we had some pace on the left wing providing some crosses then we would have a far more balanced looking team.
All our problems are on the left side of the pitch…
The sooner we resolve this, the sooner 5-0 will be a standard result home or away…
We are not far off where we want to be….
Strange how we are no longer called 1 or 2 man team?
Through all of the crap that the club has endured over the past few seasons, a few players have stood head and shoulders above the rest for not letting their work ethic slip one bit. Dirk Kuyt is one of those players and deserves every game he gets on pure merit. The man is a grafter who plays for the shirt and his team mates. He is unselfish, talented and as honest as the day is long. In any team that is littered with superstars, you need the likes of Kuyt and Meireles to be the glue that bonds them all together. Add to that their ability to slot in 8 to 10 goals a season and you have something very special in these essential workhorses which is often overlooked. Lucas should be looking at Dirk and aspiring to be the same kind of player, as should Joe Cole.