Dirk Kuyt delighted to erase bad memories for Liverpool

Nov 26 2007 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Dirk Kuyt (158)

DIRK KUYT admits his goal at Newcastle United on Saturday has helped wipe out the bitter memories of his previous appearance for Liverpool.

The Holland international netted the second for Rafael Benitez’s side in their 3-0 win at St James’ Park.

Kuyt forced the ball over the line with his knee in the 46th minute after Sami Hyypia had flicked on Steven Gerrard’s corner.

It was stark contrast to the striker’s last outing, when he missed a host of chances in the goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers and was subsequently an unused substitute against Besiktas and omitted from the squad altogether against Fulham.

But, reunited with Fernando Torres in attack for the first time since the win at Wigan Athletic almost two months ago, Kuyt responded with his sixth goal of the season.

“I know that I scored, but Sami Hyypia touched the ball and the only thing I could touch it with was my knee so it was a bit lucky,” he said. “I tried for that, but it was important to get the goal because that made it 2-0. I haven’t scored too many goals in the Premier League this season, and in my last game at Blackburn I missed three really good chances.

“I wasn’t happy with that, and I know that I have to do better and start taking more of my chances. I was looking to score, and hopefully that can give me more confidence going into the next game.

“We know that if we want to compete for four trophies, we’ll need more than just two strikers. That makes it hard to play up front, but we know the way it works.”

Of the game, Kuyt added: “It was unbelievable the amount of chances we created. The only thing is that we have to score more goals from those chances, but when you win 3-0 away from home at Newcastle then that’s always a very good result.”

Gerrard set Liverpool on their way with a blistering 25-yard shot in the 28th minute before having a hand in Kuyt’s goal and a third from Ryan Babel.

The Anfield skipper was booed throughout by the home crowd for his part in England’s Euro 2008 defeat to Croatia in midweek, but Kuyt said: “It’s a bit disappointing that Steven was booed because he is not only a really important player for Liverpool but also a really important player for England.

“I can understand why the fans are disappointed England aren’t going to the European Championships, but you have to respect players like Steven Gerrard because of he is important for Liverpool and will continue to be impor-tant for England in the future. Steven and Peter Crouch were really disappointed after last Wednesday. They were really down on Thursday and Friday but they know how important the game at Newcastle was, and they were focused on it.

“You saw the quality of Steven Gerrard. He scored a really great goal that set us on our way.”