Former striker about time with the Reds
Dirk Kuyt played a total of 285 games for Liverpool FC between 2006 and 2012, more than for any other club. With the recommendation of 119 goals in 196 competitive games for Feyenoord, the right winger came into focus for the Reds. Kuyt, who knew how to compensate for his lack of talent with a lot of hard work and dedication, revealed in “The Athletic“, how coach Rafael Benítez guided him to the Premier League in Germany.
“I remember the call from Rafa Benítez shortly before the 2006 World Cup,” said Kuyt. “He said, ‘I’m sorry to bother you. I know you have to focus on the World Cup. I only have one question: Do you want to come to Liverpool?'” Kuyt replied to the Spaniard: “‘If you want, I’ll cycle there from Holland!’ Rafa said, “It might take a while, but we will come and get you.”
Said and done. The offensive man moved from the Eredivisie to LFC for 18 million euros at the age of 26, and by the time he left for Fenerbahce in 2012, he had scored 71 goals and 43 assists – meaning the currently clubless coach just missed the top 20 ranking the most successful club scorers.
LFC, Fenerbahce & Co.
Dirk Kuyt’s career in numbers
It’s this way!
Benítez gave him a lot of confidence, reported Kuyt, who immediately became his team’s top goalscorer in the league in his first Liverpool season. That didn’t stop the Reds from investing 38 million euros in Benítez’s compatriot, Spanish striker Fernando Torres. The Atlético clipper became the most expensive purchase at the time. “Before my second season, I was on holiday in Aruba sitting on my sun lounger, relaxing and reading the newspaper – when I saw that a guy called Fernando Torres was joining us. I got up from the sun lounger and started running.”
Torres scored 81 goals in 142 competitive games for Liverpool and also prepared 20 more goals. The 110-time Spanish national player didn’t bring the Anfield Road club a title, but he did make a considerable transfer profit. In January 2011, Chelsea paid a whopping 58.5 million euros for Torres. The center forward is now only 18th among Liverpool’s most expensive signings. He appeared on the pitch together with Kuyt 123 times.
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Until his own departure in 2012, Kuyt had at least won one title in the Liverpool jersey. “Even though it was just the League Cup, it was really important for me to win it. I wanted to go home with a trophy, especially since I had come so close before. I didn’t win as much as I wanted at Liverpool, but this club made me a winner,” said the ex-attacker.
Dirk Kuyt won the League Cup with Liverpool FC – ready for second coaching position
Together with the lost Champions League final in 2007 against AC Milan (1:2), the World Cup final with the Netherlands against Spain in 2010 was “the greatest highlight of my career, but also the greatest disappointment”. “I’ve had a great career and been privileged to do what I’ve done. “I don’t really miss playing, I’m just grateful that I had the opportunity to live this life,” said the 104-time Netherlands international.
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His coaching career is currently on hold after his first professional position at ADO Den Haag came to a quick end in November 2022 after just 17 games. “It didn’t work well in The Hague, but now I’m looking for new opportunities. I had a few options, but they didn’t feel right. It’s really important that my second job is a good one,” said 43-year-old Kuyt. “In America we love people who ‘fail’ because they gain experience. I learned so much during my time in The Hague. I’m sure this will help me.”
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