Dirkey Kuytie

[El Jefecito]

No doubt he's done ok, but that's the point...'ok' is just that.

And, like most players, he's judged by the standards he's set himself which, if we're honest, arent exactly top notch. 14 goals last year was a decent return, this campaign he's gone backwards and just doesnt have the speed, strength, touch or clinical finishing ability in front of goal - he needs at least ONE of those things and he lacks them all.

Again, don't disagree, unless he recreates his finishing with Feyernod he needs to be a squad player. Someone on the RW and a striker who can turn set pieces into goals are the easiest way for us to improve next season.

[Craig_H]

That's unfair Ronaldo is a FREAK. And I agree there are better options than Kuyt out there and TBH I'd be disappointed if he was first choice next year. But like I say given what we've got he's done a great job for us in a position he's not used to.

I'm not expecting Kuyt to be like Ronaldo, of course not. It's just the most obvious example.

Bentley has 6 goals from 36 games in the PL, which is double Kuyt's tally - and Bentley actually KNEW about his goals Didnt have any pens either.

[Craig_H]

Dont get me wrong, i like Kuyt, i admire his effort and thoroughly appreciate his own appreciation of the fans, something which every player could learn from. He's an all round top lad and his attitude would be bottled and sold for millions if it were possible.

Ultimately though it's not a popularity contest. I like ShaggyAlonso & Ben Tover too...doesnt mean they should play for LFC

[Jayesh87]

I am not suggesting we dont need another striker if PC is leaving, only that Kuyt is constantly moaned at for a lack of goals but i think 11 goals and 11 assists from effectively an advanced midfield position, i think only twice up front, isnt that bad. Selectively people dismiss the CL goals for some reason.
I have watched Liverpool for 30 years and noone has ever given more to that shirt than Dirk Kuyt and i mean noone. And i will state again, that if the entire squad put in the shift Dirk does everytime he pulls on the shirt then we wouldnt be in 4th place, no chance.

The first game we played the new formation was against Wigan, which we drew 1-1. We played about 28 games before that, Kuyt would have played uptop in alot of them. Also we then ditched it from the Wigan game until Inter (9 game inbetween of 442) so Kuyt has played the majority of the season as a striker (So can we please lose the myth that he played as a winger the majority of the time. ) His lack of league goals in that time is shocking tbh.
Kuyt's lack of goals in the league has been a big big problem this season and has cost us valuable points in mid season. Altho he nearly maked up for it in the CL, sadly it wasn't ment to be this season.
I think he will stay on as a squad player next season. Its obv Rafa is after atleast 1 winger and i think it is for Kuyts position rather than Babels. I can see Stevie G playing out on the right if we sign a playmaker also.

[El Jefecito]

Dont get me wrong, i like Kuyt, i admire his effort and thoroughly appreciate his own appreciation of the fans, something which every player could learn from. He's an all round top lad and his attitude would be bottled and sold for millions if it were possible.

Ultimately though it's not a popularity contest. I like ShaggyAlonso & Ben Tover too...doesnt mean they should play for LFC

My main point though is that he is the best we have! Until we have better there's not much we can do and his goals / assists record is pretty god for someone who has not played in that position before. I think he's not perfect, but he has not let us down.

[Craig_H]

My main point though is that he is the best we have! Until we have better there's not much we can do and his goals / assists record is pretty god for someone who has not played in that position before. I think he's not perfect, but he has not let us down.

He is the best we have, but that doesnt mean he's good enough. I imagine you agree with this in any case, so apologies if it seems like i'm banging on that point too much.

That position is the main priority this summer, i would say - and that's mainly because Kuyt is the type of player who 'does a job' for you in an emergency. He isnt the answer though.

[El Jefecito]

The first game we played the new formation was against Wigan, which we drew 1-1. We played about 28 games before that, Kuyt would have played uptop in alot of them. Also we then ditched it from the Wigan game until Inter (9 game inbetween of 442) so Kuyt has played the majority of the season as a striker (So can we please lose the myth that he played as a winger the majority of the time. ) His lack of league goals in that time is shocking tbh.
Kuyt's lack of goals in the league has been a big big problem this season and has cost us valuable points in mid season. Altho he nearly maked up for it in the CL, sadly it wasn't ment to be this season.
I think he will stay on as a squad player next season. Its obv Rafa is after atleast 1 winger and i think it is for Kuyts position rather than Babels. I can see Stevie G playing out on the right if we sign a playmaker also.

Unfortunately the only real alternative would have been to play Pennant who we all know would have scored less goals and made less assists than Kuyt. No-one is saying Kuyt is perfect, only that he is the best option we have and has not disgraced himself. I don't think anyone would want him as first choice next season but he has done his best to help us this season and we probably not have got as far in the CL without him. He deserves our thanks!

[El Jefecito]

He is the best we have, but that doesnt mean he's good enough. I imagine you agree with this in any case, so apologies if it seems like i'm banging on that point too much.

That position is the main priority this summer, i would say - and that's mainly because Kuyt is the type of player who 'does a job' for you in an emergency. He isnt the answer though.

Read my mind

[Craig_H]

Absolutely he deserves praise for putting in 100% all the time, he plays like a fan Like riise, it's not his fault he lacks top quality ability.

[Shaggy]

Dont get me wrong, i like Kuyt, i admire his effort and thoroughly appreciate his own appreciation of the fans, something which every player could learn from. He's an all round top lad and his attitude would be bottled and sold for millions if it were possible.

Ultimately though it's not a popularity contest. I like ShaggyAlonso & Ben Tover too...doesnt mean they should play for LFC

You've never seen me play football pal...

[Craig_H]

You've never seen me play football pal...

I've seen you try to walk

[RedReet]

Even when playing as a ‘striker’ Dirk always dropped deep and ran the channels rather than poach. There were endless discussions on whether this was Rafa’s doing or his own. Regardless though, classing him as a ‘striker’ as such or a ‘winger’ to justify your argument is pretty pointless, but basically he has played as an attacker in whatever position.

By his own admission Kuyt hasn’t had the greatest season and it wasn’t until recently that he has really started to find form. But 8 goals and 8 assists isn’t too bad a return for any attacker, especially one out of form. Excluding the fact that I think that he will improve on this next year, what sort of returns are people expecting from this new wonder signing. If Bentley, Alves, Quaresma etc contributed to 16 goals next year and threw in a few back heels and flicks people would be raving about them. If they don’t, people will say it’s only their first season, give them more time. Everyone admits that Kuyt has did well in this new position, so why not give him more time to improve? If even he slightly improved and got 10 goals and 10 assists, surely this would be a decent return.

I think Kuyt is a suitable first choice against any of the bigger teams and away from home. Against the lesser teams who are content to sit back and soak up pressure, I agree someone with a bit more creativity and guile is required.

[Craig_H]

Kuyt didnt 'do well' in this new position, he 'did well' by his own very poor standards.

And when he's 25% of your entire attacking threat, you need better than just 'decent'.

[El Jefecito]

Kuyt didnt 'do well' in this new position, he 'did well' by his own very poor standards.

And when he's 25% of your entire attacking threat, you need better than just 'decent'.

And the standard of the alternatives

[Craig_H]

Well yes, but they're woeful alternatives.