King Kenny could have been a gunner

[Kopite_Colin]

Kenny had a trial at LFC around the same time, and Shanks didn't want him.

Was Shanks busy showing Bobby Charlton round Ron Yeats at the time - cos he can't have seen Kenny play and come to that decision......

[JPK]

I wonder if we'll be able to say the same about Rafa turning Kuyt into a right sided player in years to come? Let's hope so eh?

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N160291080621-1226.htm

CASE: KUYT CAN DO A KENNEDY
Paul Hassall 21 June 2008
Dirk Kuyt heads into a Euro 2008 clash with Russia tonight buoyed by the praise of an Anfield legend.


The Dutch forward has been in magnificent form for both club and country of late and has played a key role in Holland's passage to the last eight of this summer's tournament.

It is a change in fortune that has coincided with a switch from a central attacking role to a position on the right of midfield, and former reds star Jimmy Case believes the move echoes the one that saw Ray Kennedy go on to become an Anfield legend.

"The way the game has gone of late it's all about pace up front," said Case.

"We see it with Fernando Torres and how he has that ability to get away from defenders.

"When Liverpool first signed Kuyt he did okay up front but if he got released by a pass from the halfway line he would get caught by the centre back before he got to the penalty box.

"Moving him to a wider position has definitely helped him. I played there for years and its sometimes easier to play there.

"You've got your back to the line so you know there's no-one behind you and all you need to do is look left and right when you receive the ball.

"It's a similar situation to the one Ray found himself in.

"When Ray was pushed back into midfield a few words were said around the boot room.




"But we already had Keegan and Toshack up front and it's all about putting the best side together out of the talent you've got.

"It was a bit of a masterstroke by Bob Paisley because in Ray he had someone with the ability of a striker pushing forward from midfield.

"You had two packages in one and Ray was a complete player. Some players just make do with a position they are given but Ray made that position his own and got England caps.

"Putting him out wide certainly plays to Kuyt's strengths. Like Ray, he's technically very gifted. He's got a good touch and good awareness – he's very good at bringing others into the game."

While Case can see why comparisons have been made between Kuyt and Kennedy he feels their styles of play differ greatly and sees more similarities between himself and the Dutchman.

He said: "What Ray had was vision, a real footballing brain and a really sweet left foot for that position.

"A lot of people used to say that Ray was a lazy player but if you have the ability to see patterns of play then you don't need to be running all the time.

"He had that element of surprise and in that role he could get in the box when he wanted.

"As for Kuyt, work rate is a really big part of his game.

"He runs himself into the ground and in that respect he’s more similar to myself than Ray.

"I always prided myself on my own workrate and I love to see a player who puts the effort in like Kuyt does."

After a subdued start to the 2007/08 season Kuyt's displays for Liverpool came under the spotlight, but although Case accepts the Dutchman has struggled at times, he is adamant the 27-year-old is under-rated by supporters.

"When I talk to fans when I come up to Liverpool I know they aren't all convinced about him," he said.

"Yes he can be guilty of giving the ball away cheaply and sometimes struggles to get away from defenders - but I'm a big fan of his.

"I was fortunate to be at the games in London against Chelsea, Arsenal and West Ham last season. He was in the frame for my man of the match on each occasion.

"He gets into some great positions and as well as scoring himself he's good at creating chances for others."

Kuyt's performances at Euro 2008 have been one of the main factors in Holland's surge to the last eight and Case is backing the forward to continue his rich-vein of form and return to Melwood for pre-season training with a European Championship winners medal in his pocket.

"I've always liked watching the Dutch national side ever since the 70s," he said. "Even when they had a lean period they always produced gifted players like Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard.

"They were my pick before the tournament started and I’m sticking with them.

"I've been very impressed by them so far. They play such fluent attacking football and must have a great chance of going all the way."

Kuyt's role in setting Austria and Switzerland alight with Holland is in stark contrast to the current plight of Case's close pal, Kennedy.

The 56 year-old is fighting an ongoing battle with Parkinson's Disease and Case has paid tribute to the Liverpool and Arsenal fan groups who joined forces to launch the Ray of Hope Appeal in a bid to provide him with the kind of financial support he so desperately needs.

"I know people have been raising money to help pay for his care and that means a lot," Case said.

"Ray isn't well and gets tired easily but he's still fully aware of everything that's going on.

"He does have his quiet moments but the medication keeps him steady and he's coping.

"It's difficult to speak to him over the phone these days but when I visit we still have a good few laughs about the old times."

You can make paypal donations online to [email protected], or pay direct contributions to the Ray of Hope Appeal c/o HSBC account 21817299 sort code 40-03-27. Paying direct or by bank transfer avoids paypal commission.

Jimmy Case thinks so Dessy

[shanks69]

Kenny had a trial at LFC around the same time, and Shanks didn't want him.

the way i understand it,we would have signed kenny but he was only young and didn't want to leave glasgow.