Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has hailed Rafael Benitez has the best manager he's ever had and vows to return to the form that saw him touted as a hot prospect when he signed for the Reds.
Since arriving at Anfield the Dutchman had a few problems settling in his first season, not aided by the fact Liverpool, by and large, did not have a good time of it in 2006/07. This was of course despite making the Champions League final, in which Kuyt scored a late consolation goal.
This season began following the death of his father due to cancer, and the hard-working striker has on numerous occasions explained just how much that has affected his game, with his dad being his biggest fan and friend in the footballing world up until his passing.
Mental Problems
Though it can be argued that Kuyt's problems have not been aided by his manager's reluctance to play him in his natural role — and indeed having essentially replaced him with another lead striker in Fernando Torres this summer — the 27-year-old remains optimistic of turning things around for the Reds now he has gotten past the worst of the grieving process.
"You always give your best as a player but sometimes you can have problems mentally," explained the former Feyenoord man.
"It was difficult to concentrate on football after my father died but I feel it is all behind me now. Sometimes things just need time for you to recover.
"People don't know what is happening with players behind the scenes. Everybody knows I have had a hard time privately, and I am just coming out of it."
Stronger
The Dutch international believes he has improved in recent weeks and only seeks to strengthen his resolve as a footballer and as a person when faced with adversity.
"I've played better in the past few games," declared Kuyt. "I have scored a few important goals and I have provided a few assists.
"It was the first time anything like this had happened to me and it has made me only stronger. Now I feel much better than a few months ago, I want to carry on and show I am a good player."
The Best I've Had
Kuyt has been a regular fixture in the Reds' starting line-up during their seven match unbeaten run. Though he has not been playing the role that saw him net an obscene 83 goals in 122 games in his time at Feyenoord, he did score one crucial if not slightly deflected goal at the death against Internazionale in the Champions League.
The striker is now hoping to repay the faith boss Benitez has shown in him by taking his side all the way in the Champions League, as he of course arrived after their 2005 success in Istanbul, only in time for the heartbreak of Athens 2007.
"It would be really special to repay him by winning the Champions League," mused the Dutchman.
"He is a really great manager. In the period when it was hard for me, when I had some problems, he was there for me.
"That he cared what happened to me outside the pitch means a lot. He is the best manager I've had.
"Playing football has been like a medicine for me. When you play great games, such as against Inter Milan in the Champions League, you can devote all your energy to what happens on the pitch.
"Hopefully, I can keep going like this and we can do well in the league and Champions League. We lost the final last year, we definitely want to be there again this time."
While Liverpool are left in the ever-familiar position of chasing club football's ultimate prize as their only chance of silverware this season, Kuyt maintains the importance of a push for fourth place, which of course guarantees qualification to the competition next season.
Their cause was greatly aided when Fernando Torres netted a winner in a nervy performance against Reading this weekend, while such luck deserted cross-town rivals Everton — who lost 1-0 at Fulham — as they are also battling for fourth.
Kuyt is now eyeing Manchester United and a win over Liverpool's historic rivals, given the Reds' distinct lack of luck against the Premier League leaders in recent fixtures.
Several times in the past few seasons the Reds have bested the Red Devils only to come out on the losing side, something Kuyt is eager to change this time around.
"We were a bit unlucky in our recent games against United, so hopefully we will get that luck this time," he said.
"It is unbelievable. We deserved something more from those games.
"I think when you are at Liverpool you want to win every game, and especially against Man United. It is a really big game coming up and we really want to show we can beat them.
"United have a quality team. Only in the past six or seven games have we shown it."
Since arriving at Anfield the Dutchman had a few problems settling in his first season, not aided by the fact Liverpool, by and large, did not have a good time of it in 2006/07. This was of course despite making the Champions League final, in which Kuyt scored a late consolation goal.
This season began following the death of his father due to cancer, and the hard-working striker has on numerous occasions explained just how much that has affected his game, with his dad being his biggest fan and friend in the footballing world up until his passing.
Mental Problems
Though it can be argued that Kuyt's problems have not been aided by his manager's reluctance to play him in his natural role — and indeed having essentially replaced him with another lead striker in Fernando Torres this summer — the 27-year-old remains optimistic of turning things around for the Reds now he has gotten past the worst of the grieving process.
"You always give your best as a player but sometimes you can have problems mentally," explained the former Feyenoord man.
"It was difficult to concentrate on football after my father died but I feel it is all behind me now. Sometimes things just need time for you to recover.
"People don't know what is happening with players behind the scenes. Everybody knows I have had a hard time privately, and I am just coming out of it."
Stronger
The Dutch international believes he has improved in recent weeks and only seeks to strengthen his resolve as a footballer and as a person when faced with adversity.
"I've played better in the past few games," declared Kuyt. "I have scored a few important goals and I have provided a few assists.
"It was the first time anything like this had happened to me and it has made me only stronger. Now I feel much better than a few months ago, I want to carry on and show I am a good player."
The Best I've Had
Kuyt has been a regular fixture in the Reds' starting line-up during their seven match unbeaten run. Though he has not been playing the role that saw him net an obscene 83 goals in 122 games in his time at Feyenoord, he did score one crucial if not slightly deflected goal at the death against Internazionale in the Champions League.
The striker is now hoping to repay the faith boss Benitez has shown in him by taking his side all the way in the Champions League, as he of course arrived after their 2005 success in Istanbul, only in time for the heartbreak of Athens 2007.
"It would be really special to repay him by winning the Champions League," mused the Dutchman.
"He is a really great manager. In the period when it was hard for me, when I had some problems, he was there for me.
"That he cared what happened to me outside the pitch means a lot. He is the best manager I've had.
"Playing football has been like a medicine for me. When you play great games, such as against Inter Milan in the Champions League, you can devote all your energy to what happens on the pitch.
"Hopefully, I can keep going like this and we can do well in the league and Champions League. We lost the final last year, we definitely want to be there again this time."
While Liverpool are left in the ever-familiar position of chasing club football's ultimate prize as their only chance of silverware this season, Kuyt maintains the importance of a push for fourth place, which of course guarantees qualification to the competition next season.
Their cause was greatly aided when Fernando Torres netted a winner in a nervy performance against Reading this weekend, while such luck deserted cross-town rivals Everton — who lost 1-0 at Fulham — as they are also battling for fourth.
Kuyt is now eyeing Manchester United and a win over Liverpool's historic rivals, given the Reds' distinct lack of luck against the Premier League leaders in recent fixtures.
Several times in the past few seasons the Reds have bested the Red Devils only to come out on the losing side, something Kuyt is eager to change this time around.
"We were a bit unlucky in our recent games against United, so hopefully we will get that luck this time," he said.
"It is unbelievable. We deserved something more from those games.
"I think when you are at Liverpool you want to win every game, and especially against Man United. It is a really big game coming up and we really want to show we can beat them.
"United have a quality team. Only in the past six or seven games have we shown it."
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