Kuyt

[Mattshark]

I think everyone recognises Dirk's contribution over the years, but if we're serious about playing good football and showing true attacking quality - especially against weaker, deep-lying teams - then there's no place for Kuyt except as a squad player at best.

He always does a job when we need to harass and close up shop, but at the end of the day, effort takes no skill.

He still creates more chances for us than any other player.

[RichC]

I think everyone recognises Dirk's contribution over the years, but if we're serious about playing good football and showing true attacking quality - especially against weaker, deep-lying teams - then there's no place for Kuyt except as a squad player at best.

He always does a job when we need to harass and close up shop, but at the end of the day, effort takes no skill.

If we're going to progress he'll need to a squad player or we move him on.

Great servant to the club but he's certainly on the slide and at a rate of knots

[Mostar]

Part of me wonders whether we may have been better off taking a decent fee for Kuyt before the start of the season. Could've potentially got £10m or so for a player who's going downhill fast IMO.

Ironically, it's the only time the word 'fast' could have ever been used in relation to Dirky

Same here. I wished we sold him but my only hesitation at the time was not knowing if the funds would have been reinvested into the getting a good replacement.

I appreciate Dirky's commitment but I am not sure that I would want to extend his contract.

I cannot see him as regular first team starter next season and he'll be 32 when his present contracts expires.

Still on the fence if we should sell him if we get any decent offers in the summer or keep him in the squad due to his experience.

[JohnDoe]

I wouldn't give Kuyt a new deal at this point.

[Mostar]

That makes 2 of us.

[Drago]

Luckily enough the club seem fit to disagree with you two.

[Craig_H]

Doesnt seem to fit in with the owners' philosophy, to give a new (and surely lucrative) contract to a player his age.

[Pablo]

My sentimental side says to keep him, but my razor sharp football brain says it's time for him to move on.

In fairness though this is pointless, he'll stay, 100%. Kenny clearly loves him. I just hope he's more of a marginal figure in the future rather than starting every single game for us.

[Exiled_red]

Doesnt seem to fit in with the owners' philosophy, to give a new (and surely lucrative) contract to a player his age.

I thought we weren't going to buy new players over a certain age, but keeping hold of older players does make sense providing 1) they still have something to offer 2) they aren't offered long contracts 3) their wages are in line with their contribution.

I don't think we should cast off old players just because they are old, but we need to evaluate players on a year to year basis when they get over a certain age (like man utd have been doing with Giggs, Scholes, Neville van der Sar etc)

[Craig_H]

They werent apparently too chuffed with the length of contract or wages given to Carragher.

[Tee]

They werent apparently too chuffed with the length of contract or wages given to Carragher.

How do you know this?

I think JWH thinks very highly of Stevie G and Carra. In a recent interview he said how their passion for the club was so evident when talking to them because they came through the system, and that they are the type of players we need to bring through, players who understand what Liverpool FC is all about.

Can't see him being too concerned that such players are asked to see out their careers at this club.

[Craig_H]

How do we know anything?

It was strongly rumoured that Carra's new deal was one of the reasons Purslow's position was 'demoted'.

Everything we've heard or read about FSG says they dont pay out high wages on players who are at the latter end of their career and dont have a lot to offer going forward. John Henry has said himself of the need to be 'smart' about things.

Of course he rates Gerrard and Carra, and wants them at the club. I dont think paying Carragher 90k p/w for his new contract, at his age, comes under the 'smart' category. And i dont think a new deal for Kuyt, who is 32 when his current deal expires, is especially prudent either.

[Tee]

Disagree about Carra, but agree about Kuyt.

I think tbh if Carra left because they could not agree a new deal, right now that would not be too smart either.

[Exiled_red]

How do we know anything?

It was strongly rumoured that Carra's new deal was one of the reasons Purslow's position was 'demoted'.

Everything we've heard or read about FSG says they dont pay out high wages on players who are at the latter end of their career and dont have a lot to offer going forward. John Henry has said himself of the need to be 'smart' about things.

Of course he rates Gerrard and Carra, and wants them at the club. I dont think paying Carragher 90k p/w for his new contract, at his age, comes under the 'smart' category. And i dont think a new deal for Kuyt, who is 32 when his current deal expires, is especially prudent either.

Carragher's contract IMO was madness he was 32 when we offered him a new contact for 3 more years, so he'll be 35 when his current deal is up. IMO for players over 30 IMO we shouldn't offer more then 2 year contracts, and by the time they reach 33 we should go on a year to year basis. Kuyt's deal is up at the end of next season we should employ this tactic with him if he's still a regular next season.

[Craig_H]

Just to clarify, i dont have any qualms with keeping Carragher - i'm not saying we should have let him go or should do now either. But £90k p/w is silly, especially if he was given a 3 year deal.