Dirk Kuyt

[paulcooper4]

Rafa uses Kuyt as almost an extra midfield player or very deep striker. He works his bollocks of in this role and by definition he's not going to score as many as if he's played further forward.

He's another player that you'd miss if he wasn't there. Alonso was getting terrible stick on this board before he got injured. Now he's not playing we know what he brings to the side.

[Shaggy]

Rafa uses Kuyt as almost an extra midfield player or very deep striker. He works his bollocks of in this role and by definition he's not going to score as many as if he's played further forward.

He's another player that you'd miss if he wasn't there. Alonso was getting terrible stick on this board before he got injured. Now he's not playing we know what he brings to the side.

Not from me he wasn't.

I think this "he works so hard" stuff trotted out after each and every blank is getting a little tiresome. If he's gonna be used as a midfielder (which he isn't - he's the 2nd striker), then why not pick a midfielder?

He's a striker, and he doesn't score any goals or even LOOK like scoring any goals.

I like him, I like his attitude, I like his love for the club and for the fans, but I don't think he's good enough.

Crouch and Voronin work hard but if they don't score they get roundly slaughtered. Why is Kuyt deemed so untouchable?

[Red_Polo]

Not from me he wasn't.

I think this "he works so hard" stuff trotted out after each and every blank is getting a little tiresome. If he's gonna be used as a midfielder (which he isn't - he's the 2nd striker), then why not pick a midfielder?

He's a striker, and he doesn't score any goals or even LOOK like scoring any goals.

I like him, I like his attitude, I like his love for the club and for the fans, but I don't think he's good enough.

Crouch and Voronin work hard but if they don't score they get roundly slaughtered. Why is Kuyt deemed so untouchable?

But Shags he does score goals, he was our top scorer in the league last season. I don't think it's just his work rate that is important for us, he does a lot of really good work to keep the play flowing and help us keep possession higher up the pitch than we otherwise would.

I think the problem is most of his good work is a fair way outside the area and whilst he does grab a decent amount of goals he doesn't really pose enough of a constant goal threat if that makes any sense. For that reason I think in the long term we should see him as a really good squad player rather than nailed on first choice. Thing is I think similar criticisms could be levelled at Crouch, and for me one will have to depart this summer to make way for someone less prosaic if we are to improve our front line.

Until then, I do think he's probably our best option to partner Torres. I just wish Rafa would let him play a little further forward. Given the type of player he is, he would also be a lot more effective if we had some quality midfield runners. Gerrard isn't quite doing it at the moment, likewise the wide players for the most part.

[paulcooper4]

But Shags he does score goals, he was our top scorer in the league last season. I don't think it's just his work rate that is important for us, he does a lot of really good work to keep the play flowing and help us keep possession higher up the pitch than we otherwise would.

I think the problem is most of his good work is a fair way outside the area and whilst he does grab a decent amount of goals he doesn't really pose enough of a constant goal threat if that makes any sense. For that reason I think in the long term we should see him as a really good squad player rather than nailed on first choice. Thing is I think similar criticisms could be levelled at Crouch, and for me one will have to depart this summer to make way for someone less prosaic if we are to improve our front line.

Until then, I do think he's probably our best option to partner Torres. I just wish Rafa would let him play a little further forward. Given the type of player he is, he would also be a lot more effective if we had some quality midfield runners. Gerrard isn't quite doing it at the moment, likewise the wide players for the most part.

good post. agree with all of that

[kemm1]

Rafa uses Kuyt as almost an extra midfield player or very deep striker. He works his bollocks of in this role and by definition he's not going to score as many as if he's played further forward.

He's another player that you'd miss if he wasn't there. Alonso was getting terrible stick on this board before he got injured. Now he's not playing we know what he brings to the side.

Then why would we use a striker to be just a 'work horse'? The last player we had that did that was Heskey, so if that's the case we might as well have kept him then.

I'm not jumpng on the anti-Kuyt bandwagon but we shouldn't be using strikers to perform like Sissoko or Masher.

[kemm1]

But Shags he does score goals, he was our top scorer in the league last season. I don't think it's just his work rate that is important for us, he does a lot of really good work to keep the play flowing and help us keep possession higher up the pitch than we otherwise would.

I think the problem is most of his good work is a fair way outside the area and whilst he does grab a decent amount of goals he doesn't really pose enough of a constant goal threat if that makes any sense. For that reason I think in the long term we should see him as a really good squad player rather than nailed on first choice. Thing is I think similar criticisms could be levelled at Crouch, and for me one will have to depart this summer to make way for someone less prosaic if we are to improve our front line.

Until then, I do think he's probably our best option to partner Torres. I just wish Rafa would let him play a little further forward. Given the type of player he is, he would also be a lot more effective if we had some quality midfield runners. Gerrard isn't quite doing it at the moment, likewise the wide players for the most part.

Good points there, but I'd love to see Babel upfront I think that's his best position.

[Shaggy]

he does a lot of really good work to keep the play flowing and help us keep possession higher up the pitch than we otherwise would..

Fair comments but I can't agree with this bit mate. For me he loses possession far too often, usually courtesy of yet another woeful first touch or a lack of pace ensuring he gets swallowed up. He doesn't retain the ball well enough for me (Crouch does this much, much better - for example, without being brilliant, he did this at Reading very well. He knits play together very well) and other than hard work and a good understanding with Torres, I don't really see what he brings to the table.

He's a passenger at the moment - a striker who, by October, still hasn't scored a league goal despite playing almost every minute of every game.

[Darth Marty]

Good points there, but I'd love to see Babel upfront I think that's his best position.

I would like to see that too, he could very well be a revelation up top. Give him a chance as theres no other ****er playing that well!!!

[kemm1]

I would like to see that too, he could very well be a revelation up top. Give him a chance as theres no other ****er playing that well!!!

Yeah, might as well but maybe Crouch should be given a go as well eh. Oh, sorry about that my disrespectful post towards you a while back mate.

[Shaggy]

I'd rather we bought Elano (next summer) to play in the hole. Now that boy is class, and does the things a 2nd striker should be doing - pulls strings, probes, passes beautifully, makes things happen etc - rather than run around like a headless chicken.

[kemm1]

I'd rather we bought Elano (next summer) to play in the hole. Now that boy is class, and does the things a 2nd striker should be doing - pulls strings, probes, passes beautifully, makes things happen etc - rather than run around like a headless chicken.

A bit early for transfer speculation eh.......

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Rafa uses Kuyt as almost an extra midfield player or very deep striker. He works his bollocks of in this role and by definition he's not going to score as many as if he's played further forward.

He's another player that you'd miss if he wasn't there. Alonso was getting terrible stick on this board before he got injured. Now he's not playing we know what he brings to the side.

Not having that.

My ****ing eyes are open, and I see a lame in the Liverbird.

But to be fair he's not the only one who isn't good enough.

I've yet to hear anyone give a good explanation as to why he isn't a consistent goal threat from his position. Other teams use the same system, with a player off the front, and the player in that position is always a threat to the opposition, that's what he's there for. Not to track back making lunging tackles in the centre circle.

But to me that isn't the thing that drives me crazy about him. It's his first touch and technical ability. At a massive club like ours it's simply laughable. He's got nothing on Heskey or Cisse in this regard.

So don't give me the nonsense excuse that it's Rafa's instructions that are stopping him being effective.

The simple truth is he's a mediocre footballer who's been found out at a higher level in a better league.

Anyone who thinks he's good enough for Liverpool is quite deluded and I include Rafa in that. Surely he can't be happy with his performances of late? Yet he keeps picking him. It's utterly bewildering.

Drop him for Crouch or Voronin and then sell him. Same goes for Pennant, had enough of his mediocrity and all.

[Darth Marty]

Yeah, might as well but maybe Crouch should be given a go as well eh. Oh, sorry about that my disrespectful post towards you a while back mate.

To who? me?
As I dont have a clue as to what post you are on about mate dont sweat it
Crouch just doesnt look like hes up for the fight so far this season...id love the lad to show real hunger...he just looks like a lazy ******* when I see him play. Hes a good player, could be a great player, similarly to Heskey he just seems to lack that desire or hunger or something.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

I'd rather we bought Elano (next summer) to play in the hole. Now that boy is class, and does the things a 2nd striker should be doing - pulls strings, probes, passes beautifully, makes things happen etc - rather than run around like a headless chicken.

Plays in the same position as Kuyt doesn't he?

Works hard and tracks back as well.

Biggest load of ****e excuse I've ever heard. It's a complete Kop out.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

He's a passenger at the moment - a striker who, by October, still hasn't scored a league goal despite playing almost every minute of every game.

No he's not. Don't forget he works really, really, really, REALLY hard.