Dirk Kuyt.

[Rashid]

He is Rafa's Heskey - and he will do well in high octaine games - the problem is that he isn't very good and he won't be in the team once Gerrard, Babel and Torres get back into the team.

[Rashid]

Aye, he was immense the other day. MoM no worries-played like a man possessed.

He played excellent but there is no way he was better than Alonso and Mascherano during the match.

[Joe Le Toff]

Keane's desperation to score is visible and on a couple of occasions, he thrashed at the ball instead of opting for a more intelligent method of shot. It'll come though.

He worked his backside off and never gave the United back four a minute to relax.

Well in.

Thommo was one of the pundits for the game on the channel i watched it on and he said that he thinks that Keane at the moment is in awe of everything, the club, the fans, Torres and Gerrard, and he said he seems to be playing silly little 5 yard balls to everybody instead of going for it himself.

I think theres more than a grain of truth in what Thommo says - in essence that Keane is trying too hard, and trying to please everyone.

He'll settle more with each game he plays and the goals will come soon im sure.

[RedReet]

He looked better because he was playing up front, which his position but didn't score coz he isn't good enough to be a regular centre forward for a top four side. Works hard yes, but so did Heskey

Eh?

Has he not finished 4th and 3rd in his previous two seasons and about to finish 1st?

[el matador]

I think you've got to hand it to kuyt. Time and time again he proves his doubters wrong with performances like that.

he is a much better performer when he plays up front than when he plays on the right. The other thing about kuyt is that he misses loads of chances but the important thing is that he does get chances because of his good movement.

A special mention for ryan babel too because this lad has scored against arsenal, chelsea and man utd now all in a little over one season and there's not many others around that can say that. Hopefully he can take something from this win and go on to become a great match winner for us.

[Shaggy]

I think you've got to hand it to kuyt. Time and time again he proves his doubters wrong with performances like that.

he is a much better performer when he plays up front than when he plays on the right. The other thing about kuyt is that he misses loads of chances but the important thing is that he does get chances because of his good movement.

Have to say I disagree with this strongly.

It's easy to forget that Kuyt played up front for roughly the first half of last season, before he was taken out of the firing line and moved to the right. In those four or five months, he scored just three goals - two pens (in the same game) and a fluke. It is easy to forget how utterly frustrating and impotent his performances were. Yes he was a decent foil for Torres but the bloke never looked like scoring a goal in open play. He wasn't missing chances - he simply never had any. He was moved to the right for a reason.

IMO if he wants a future with LFC then it is on the right of a 4-2-3-1, as a squad member. He will never make a top class centre-forward.

[Johnny]

Have to say I disagree with this strongly.

It's easy to forget that Kuyt played up front for roughly the first half of last season, before he was taken out of the firing line and moved to the right. In those four or five months, he scored just three goals - two pens (in the same game) and a fluke. It is easy to forget how utterly frustrating and impotent his performances were. Yes he was a decent foil for Torres but the bloke never looked like scoring a goal in open play. He wasn't missing chances - he simply never had any. He was moved to the right for a reason.

IMO if he wants a future with LFC then it is on the right of a 4-2-3-1, as a squad member. He will never make a top class centre-forward.

It`s easy to forget his father was seriously ill and then died during that period.

[Shaggy]

Yes it must've been very difficult for him.

He still hasn't scored in the league for years.

[Marky]

Ive slagged Kuyt off before and prob will again but i thought he had a blinder on saturday.
He was sharp from the first whistle. He always showed for the ball, showed some nice touches and held it up well. He was quality.
Really should have scored once at least but overall he was brilliant.

[RedReet]

Have to say I disagree with this strongly.

It's easy to forget that Kuyt played up front for roughly the first half of last season, before he was taken out of the firing line and moved to the right. In those four or five months, he scored just three goals - two pens (in the same game) and a fluke. It is easy to forget how utterly frustrating and impotent his performances were. Yes he was a decent foil for Torres but the bloke never looked like scoring a goal in open play. He wasn't missing chances - he simply never had any. He was moved to the right for a reason.

IMO if he wants a future with LFC then it is on the right of a 4-2-3-1, as a squad member. He will never make a top class centre-forward.

But after moving out right, he eventually found some form which he’s carried over to this year. He has scored as many goals as anyone else so far and has generally been has much of a threat as anyone else.

[dww]

Have to say I disagree with this strongly.

It's easy to forget that Kuyt played up front for roughly the first half of last season, before he was taken out of the firing line and moved to the right. In those four or five months, he scored just three goals - two pens (in the same game) and a fluke. It is easy to forget how utterly frustrating and impotent his performances were. Yes he was a decent foil for Torres but the bloke never looked like scoring a goal in open play. He wasn't missing chances - he simply never had any. He was moved to the right for a reason.

IMO if he wants a future with LFC then it is on the right of a 4-2-3-1, as a squad member. He will never make a top class centre-forward.

I think the bit in bold is particularly true after his miss in Blackburn for last season. On the other hand I'm hopeful that he will turn at least that round - he did get in the right positions and he never shirked an opportunity to put a shot in on goal which are good things.

I remember arguing (largely with you) that Dirk would come good if played further forward before last season. I think I have been proven wrong in that you are certainly right he will never be a prolific scorer but he showed again yesterday how useful he can be at creating goals and if he keeps making the right runs he may also contribute a decent number of goals as well. That to me would make him a very valuable member of the squad as he seems to complement both our probable first choice forwards.

I'm not really sure why people see the need to try and make him out to be something he is not (i.e. a top class goalscorer) but equally I find it frustrating that some people are willing to over look what he does bring to a number of our best performances. In many ways he is a catalyst for much that we do right but unless he starts scoring goals it is difficult to argue for his position in the team as Alonso and Mascher won't get many and Kuyt scores less than Gerrard behind the forward and is unsuitable for the right in a 4-4-2 and we still need more goal threats in the team.

That said at present I would have Kuyt ahead of Keane in the starting XI and assuming Gerrard and Torres. To challenge this season we need Kuyt, Riera and Keane to chip in with a decent number of goals as at the minute none look like giving us significantly more cutting edge than we had last year and we are still crap at freekicks.

[Shaggy]

I think the bit in bold is particularly true after his miss in Blackburn for last season. On the other hand I'm hopeful that he will turn at least that round - he did get in the right positions and he never shirked an opportunity to put a shot in on goal which are good things.

I remember arguing (largely with you) that Dirk would come good if played further forward before last season. I think I have been proven wrong in that you are certainly right he will never be a prolific scorer but he showed again yesterday how useful he can be at creating goals and if he keeps making the right runs he may also contribute a decent number of goals as well. That to me would make him a very valuable member of the squad as he seems to complement both our probable first choice forwards.

I'm not really sure why people see the need to try and make him out to be something he is not (i.e. a top class goalscorer) but equally I find it frustrating that some people are willing to over look what he does bring to a number of our best performances. In many ways he is a catalyst for much that we do right but unless he starts scoring goals it is difficult to argue for his position in the team as Alonso and Mascher won't get many and Kuyt scores less than Gerrard behind the forward and is unsuitable for the right in a 4-4-2 and we still need more goal threats in the team.

That said at present I would have Kuyt ahead of Keane in the starting XI and assuming Gerrard and Torres. To challenge this season we need Kuyt, Riera and Keane to chip in with a decent number of goals as at the minute none look like giving us significantly more cutting edge than we had last year and we are still crap at freekicks.

[wiw]

I agree dww, it's just frustrating because I'm sure the Kuyt of Fayenord would be burying those 2 chances he had on Saturday. Going from 30/40 goals a season to hardly any must knock your confidence..you can tell he's snatching at it

[JPK]

Knowing Kuyt he will probably score tomorrow in Europe

[el matador]

Have to say I disagree with this strongly.

It's easy to forget that Kuyt played up front for roughly the first half of last season, before he was taken out of the firing line and moved to the right. In those four or five months, he scored just three goals - two pens (in the same game) and a fluke. It is easy to forget how utterly frustrating and impotent his performances were. Yes he was a decent foil for Torres but the bloke never looked like scoring a goal in open play. He wasn't missing chances - he simply never had any. He was moved to the right for a reason.

IMO if he wants a future with LFC then it is on the right of a 4-2-3-1, as a squad member. He will never make a top class centre-forward.

shaggy - he played a blinder on saturday - infact that's the best i've ever seen him play for us. He ran all day like he does normally but he had some quality to go with it.

its rare for him to combine his effort with anything of any quality but against united it came together and I for one was delighted for him because ive given him plenty of stick in the past and im sure i will give him plenty in the future.

one good game doesnt make a great player but if he can keep up that level of football then maybe there's more to the dirk kuyt story.

kuyt does have good movement when he plays inside. unfortunately his first touch is crap so his ability to find good positions comes to nothing. Yes he played well against united - is he the long term solution to partner torres - no that's keane.

Is he completely useless - no he probably isnt.