Dirk Kuyt: Then and Now

 
The workhorse, powerhouse and hard-working Dirk Kuyt has been in highly consistent form for Liverpool since joining in 2006 from Feyenoord. But what was he like before then? Was he always the hardworking wide man we see now in 2011?

In actual truth. Benitez bought Kuyt in in an attempt to solve Liverpool's striker options. When Michael Owen left the club to Real Madrid, the main centre forward and striker slot was left open and was not replaced even with the emergence of the likes of Milan Baros and Djbril Cisse. Dirk Kuyt before 2006 was the main strike source of goals for Feyenoord. Playing in a very centralised and traditional striker position, Kuyt would poach and create multiple of goals. A very different player.

In 05/06 he hit 21 goals in 40 appearances, 04/05 he managed 32 goals in 41 appearances. He was an all-rounded out and out striker. Even with his former side FC Utrecht he managed to hit a total of 28 goals in 62 games.

The Daily Telegraph described him as 'loved by the Anfield throng.' It took awhile for the supporters to understand the masterplan behind Dirk Kuyt. The goals weren't rolling in as expected (15 goals in 41 appearances in debut season). But his work rate took over. Once Benitez switched him to the outer right flank, thus opening the space for Fernando Torres up front, Kuyt work rate, vibrancy and energy took the fans hearts. He was seen as a player who loved to run, give 110% even when the chips are down.

Many commented by saying Kuyt isn't the most gifted footballer to ever grace the game, and that on the right flank he wasn't a natural width player. These facts are all true. He isn't the fastest either, but over 10 yards he can generate a lot of speed. Kuyt may not have been natural, but with his work rate and energy placed into each game, its hard to notice what holds him back. Sure he can't take on players like Suarez does, doesn't have the electric pace of Aaron Lennon and Theo Walcott. But he has positioning, movement, vision and a huge amount of stamina to keep him going.