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Recent underrated Liverpool players – Day 6

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Dirk Kuyt scores for LFC

Kuyt scoring on of his three goals against Manchester United on the way to a hat-trick

Dirk Kuyt – Over the years, Dirk is one of those Liverpool players that has genuinely divided opinions in way few have. Most could appreciate his work rate because, let’s be honest, if you couldn’t recognise at least that aspect of his game you should’ve been watching another sport.

But while the man affectionately compared to an Energizer Bunny has prolonged his career at the top level to the age of 34 in large part due to his incredible stamina, energy levels and work rate, most totally ignore his ability as a footballer.

When he first arrived on Merseyside, Dirk came with a big reputation as a goalscorer. In Holland, he’d scored 152 games in 312 games and averaged over 20 goals a season – often from the right – for Feyenoord in all four of his previous season there, so fans were expecting a top centre forward but knew that bringing in a high scoring striker from the Dutch league was a 50/50 chance of success.

Few could’ve predicted that Dirk would never pass 20 goals for Liverpool in a season, only hitting 15 once and, to many, that was always a huge negative against a player that was signed with a big reputation. However, what Dirk specialized in was important goals. Need a winner, when the odds are stacked? In stepped Dirk. Want a hat-trick against the arch nemesis, Manchester United? Up steps Mr. Kuyt.

He may not have been prolific, he may not have the skill of Zidane or Messi and he is certainly not everybody’s cup of tea but Dirk Kuyt is a big game player, with a big game attitude and mentality, and he takes that attitude and mentality into every game, whether it be an FA Cup third round away to non-league opposition, or a Champions League final.

Scorer of 260 clubs goals in over 750 games, Dirk averages over 1 goals every three games; more or less 12-15 goals a season in a 40-45 game season. Something few international strikers could claim, particularly given that Dirk has only every played at the highest level. He’s also been an ever-present for Holland, with 104 caps across 10 seasons as an international, with 24 goals. The stats and facts show that there’s a reason why manager after manager still want this guy playing for them: they just don’t make them like Dirk anymore and every team needs one.

If Liverpool had one or two, they may currently be having a much different season.

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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.

1 comment

  • albert says:

    kuyt was a great player for liverpool,now i think lfc should sign depay who is also having good goal scoring record in eredivisie as kuyt had before joining lfc , depay is a good option for kuyt

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