Sunday, November 09, 2008

Dirk Kuyt Is Crucial To Liverpool's Campaign

Dutchman Dirk Kuyt might not be your typical Anfield superstar but his presence in the Reds starting line-up may be one of the reasons Liverpool are flying high.

The son of a fisherman is proving to be a great catch for Rafa Benitez who snapped up the striker ahead of Premier League rivals two years ago.

And Liverpool certainly have more fun when the Blond Bombshell is on the pitch.

Hopes were high when the Liverpool striker was brought in from Feyenoord for around £9m in the summer of 2006.

Spaniard Fernando Morientes had been a flop, Peter Crouch was never in favour.

Kuyt bagged 12 Premier League goals in his first season and in doing so became the first player to hit double figures in the top flight under Benitez.

He's already passed his miserly return of three Premier League goals last year by scoring against Man City, Wigan twice and Spurs this season.

But those aren't the only stats that show what an impression Kuyt has made at Anfield - and that's why Rafa now wants to offer him a new contract.

When Kuyt plays, Liverpool are three times as likely to win, about half as likely to concede and on average pick up double the amount of points compared to when he's not there.

Rafa knows that and that's why the Liverpool boss continues to keep the Dutchman in his side, even if it's in the wide right role and not as a conventional front man.

Fernando Torres may have pushed Kuyt out of his natural position but the arrival of another Spaniard, Albert Riera, on the opposite wing, may have given him the space and balance that he and Liverpool need.

Liverpool have an abundance of wide men - Jermaine Pennant, Yossi Benayoun, Ryan Babel and now Kuyt - but out of all of them it's only Kuyt who has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season.

His bustling, energetic style makes him a fans' favourite - they always know he's trying.

That's why Rafa wanted him, and that's why it's better for Liverpool when Rafa plays him.

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