After the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle ensured that our woeful league form continued, I was encouraged to read on Thursday that Liverpool plan to revamp the squad in the summer. I fully support Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli offloading a number of fringe players to reduce the average age of the squad as too many of those players have not delivered this season.
However I strongly believe that Dirk Kuyt should not be one of the players cast aside as the Dutchman still has something to offer at Anfield.
Too many Reds players have been accused of complacency this season, but Kuyt’s commitment has never been called into question. Admittedly that has been in part due to a lack of opportunities for Kuyt – he has made just 19 starts this season, his lowest rate since the 2007/08 season – but in his six years at Anfield, I have never heard anyone accuse Kuyt of not working hard enough. I’ve heard his ability questioned, but for me Dirk’s superb work rate has always made up for any weaknesses he has as a player and his efforts on the pitch seem to have won over most of the Anfield faithful. Despite his limited opportunities, Kuyt has still scored some vital goals this season – his late goals against Manchester United and Cardiff in the FA and Carling Cups spring to mind and I haven’t forgotten his hat trick against Man Utd last season.
The media have grouped Kuyt with Maxi Rodriguez and Fabio Aurelio as the three players most likely to leave Anfield this summer and I think it’s unfair to put Kuyt in that group. Maxi had a good season last year but this year he has succumbed to numerous injuries and his fitness problems are a concern. As for Aurelio, he should never have been re-signed after leaving Liverpool in 2010. Aurelio’s injury record is worse than anyone else at the club and he has made just two appearances this season, so we’ll hardly miss him. But Kuyt has more to offer Liverpool than Maxi and Aurelio and his injury record is far better.
There seems to be a growing consensus among Liverpool fans that we should give more opportunities to our younger players, such as Raheem Sterling, Jack Robinson and Jonjo Shelvey. This is something I agree with but it’s important we don’t end up with a squad too inexperienced. Kuyt is one of the more experienced members of our squad and with a return to Europe guaranteed next year thanks to the Carling Cup win, we will need a bigger squad than we’ve needed this season.
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At 31 and with one year left on his contract, Kuyt wouldn’t fetch a very big transfer fee, so assuming we have to sell to buy in the summer I’d say Liverpool have more to lose than they have to gain by selling Kuyt. The low fee we’re likely to get for him wouldn’t be enough to buy a quality replacement and even in the likely event that Kuyt doesn’t agree a new deal with the club, I’d prefer it if he saw out his contract. Those extra twelve months could be used to blood the youngsters that take his place in the squad when he leaves.
Of course, with Feyenoord and Roma both rumoured to be interested, its possible Kuyt would prefer to move on; he’s already admitted that he wants to end his career in Holland and I’m sure he’d be willing to listen to offers from any club who can offer him both European football and more first-team opportunities. If Kuyt does want to leave it’s probably best to let him go, but I want him to stay, as do most Liverpool fans I’m sure. More fixtures next season should in theory mean more games for Dirk, but will that be enough to keep him at Anfield? I guess we’ll find out in the summer.
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He can’t run, he can’t dribble, he can’t shoot.
Fits in the “King’s” team perfectly doesn’t he.
but, is the first choice on the team sheet for Holland. Maybe they know something you don’t. What a football intellectual you are?
My opinion is worth equal to that of yours, as is everybody else’s, what authority are you? your just one person with their own personal view, as am i.
I believe more people share my view than yours.
I can see by your post that you take exception to someone questioning your opinion.
Sorry, but I share the opinion of the Dutch manager and coaching staff, and they do know more than you. What I would like to know is why you only mention Kuyt, because we have a hatful of players (mainly British) that are either very poor signings or just not bothered that should be criticized before Kuyt? Kuyt has been a model pro for the club and you selectively pick him out before any other player. Is there a little xenophobic blood flowing through your veins?
I’m also prepared to leave it to other LFC fans to decide. I think LFC fans are more intelligent than you think, and I think you would be surprised to find that your assumption is probably incorrect.
Don’t let your emotions get in the way of a selective rant though. Please, knock yourself out.
Holland nearly won the WC and he was a regular. Which pro club are you at? He is one of our most commited players, something that Carroll and Henderson can do much to learn.
However as KD is more intertested in passports than actual ability, Kuyt could go. So the best thing is for LFC to sack KD. At least we still have a team.
‘He can’t run, he can’t dribble, he can’t shoot’
Mate that’s Andy Carroll you’re thinking of
his best time at Liverpool has passed! its time to go! he was worst against villa!!
Along with Carroll, Downing, Adam, Gerrard, Carragher and maybe Dalglish.
He has served us well in the past with his commitment but it is time to stare reality in the face and let him go. Is this the start of people making reasons for any of the present team being kept on? Bite the bullet , get real and weald that broom!
no,i dont think he has to go.every team needs xperience and we lack true quality and xperience xcept gerrard.
Both Kuyt and Maxi have been pushed aside for the new signings but oddly enough only Bellamy seems to slot in with Suarez better. Kuyt has, in the long run, contributed more than he has wasted. Maxi has absolutely made the most of his limited playing time and has spent much, much more time sitting on the bench, or even worse not being on the team sheet at all, than he has been unavailable due to injury.
Sometimes players would be forced into retirement by someone,sometimes players would be forced to go by someone!
To be honest I’ve never been a Kuyt fan despite all his hard work. His instinct is to pass the ball back as soon as he receives it and quite frankly his finishing is dreadful. He misses the target so many times as illustrated perfectly by his 2 yard howler on Saturday. So for me losing Kuyt would be no loss to Liverpool.
Err it that is the case what about Carroll? He makes Kuyt looks like Ian Rush.
i don’t know why people criticize KD…do you want to be like chelsea, who are changing managers every now and then…just sick with 1 manager, put faith in him…like manu…they didn’t won anything for several years under his management…dont ruin everything…patience and we will be rewarded
Fairy tales only happens once in a while. If that is the case, why sack Hodgson?
I have a Love/Hate mentality when Dirk Kuyt is involved. I love him when he plays against Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. But I hate him when he plays against Stoke, Blackburn and others of that Calibre. Against the better sides you get more room to work and space to take the extra touch. This is where Kuyt is effective. He has the space to take an extra touch and to be more effective on the ball, creating opportunities, or putting them in himself. Against lesser opposition he struggles. Lesser teams play tighter and restrict the space you can work in, meaning that Dirk Kuyt’s poor technique is highlighted for all to see and when he struggles, whoever he plays in attack with struggles. If we can keep him for those big games, where he has space to work and be effective on and off the ball, then I’m all for it. If not then I think it is best if we sell up. He won’t want to sit on the bench, and due to him being in his 30’s, I doubt he would be willing to sit out of so many games. If we can somehow swap him, plus cash for someone younger who can improve Liverpool, then I think that’s what we should do. Swap + Cash for the likes of Luuk DeJong, Daniel Texiera, or someone of similar ability/Potential would be a great option imo.
A very thoughtful and considered perspective on Kuyt. You have a point as to why he manages to ‘appear’ in the big games, whilst frustrate in the games against so called ‘lesser’ opposition.