Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt scores on his Holland return

May 26 2008 Liverpool Daily Post

Dirk Kuyt

DIRK KUYT is delighted to be back in the Holland fold again after helping his side to a 3-0 win over Ukraine.

And his club manager has defended the Dutchman’s scoring record by praising his overall contribution to Liverpool’s team last season.

Despite a prolific Champions League campaign in which he netted seven times, Kuyt only scored one goal from open play in the league as he was eventually employed as a right-sided attacker in the formation Rafael Benitez favoured in the latter part of the campaign.

“Kuyt has a fantastic mentality and a strong character,” said Benitez. “He is a winner, a fighter.

“I think it’s important our fans give credit to Kuyt. Here is a striker who scored a lot of goals in Holland, who came here and played as a second striker, who works really hard for the team but doesn’t score as many goals, and then we decide to use him as a right winger.

“He has been fantastic and has scored important goals in important games.

“I am really pleased with him – he is a player you can always trust,” added the Spaniard.

Kuyt has been left out for recent international matches but was included in Holland’s Euro 2008 preliminary squad.

He staked his claim for a role in Austria and Switzerland next month after heading home Holland’s opener on Saturday.

Kuyt’s Liverpool team-mate Ryan Babel was also on the scoresheet against Ukraine, netting his side’s third goal.