by tonyeh » Fri Aug 29, 2008 1:31 am
I tend not to like some of the stick that Kuyt gets, but I think Liverpool fans have to be honest at the end of the day. Kuyt may get the odd goal (some of which are very important like last night), but he is a liability. The simple fact is, is that Dirk Kuyt gives the ball to the opposition far too often, not just over a few matches...but in a single game. His ball control and passing (even over very short distance) are very weak. Probably the weakest on the side. This means that attacks involving him break down with depressing ease and allows the other team to spark off a counter attack, which if the team are of any quality, could cause some serious problems.
Last night Dirk Kuyt either gave away the ball or passed it back 95% of the time. In fact, I believe Gerrard gave him a bollocking at one point in the 2nd half for giving the ball away so easilly. The commentators on RTE television said "...he was a nightmare."
The bottom line is and will remain that Dirk Kuyt is an average player, who plays with an absolute 100% committment to the team and he is certainly to be commended for that. But his limitations (especially in the position he has been forced to adopt ) are actually painful to watch.
The fact also remains that until a credible alternative can be found for the right wing, Rafa will continue to play him there...warts'n'all, even with Pennant (Liverpool's only real RWM) in the side.
But Kuyt is not Liverpool's only problem, there are many (both players and tactics) and I'll put my opinion out here now and say that...
Liverpool are NOT going to win the Premiership, in fact, based on the past few games, I doubt that they'll finish 4th this year unless something radical is done to change the current playing form.
Liverpool are NOT going to win the Champions League this year either and will be LUCKY to get out of the group, based on the same set of criteria. They came VERY CLOSE to being knocked out of the qualifying stages. In fact, Liege very UNLUCKY not to win the two legs 3-1. Liverpool now have to face PSV, Atletico and Marseille to get through. All teams that I rate as superior to Standard Liege, on paper anyway.
Yes, it's early in the season...and yes Liverpool have won each game (incredibly!), but we must remember, that they've struggled badly against opposition that they should have eased by.
Also, Liverpool could play 38 Prem games and score the winner in the last 15 minutes all the way through the season...but I don't think that will happen. The law of averages are very much against it. In saying that, I'll be feckin delighted if that was to happen.
Some people on here seem to be holding a torch for Dirk Kuyt (and that's fair enough), but I am forced to wonder, would they be of the same opinion if he played for another team?
Some others here are saying that as long as Liverpool have players of the quality of Dirk Kuyt on the team, that they will not win the Premiership...and I am inclined to agree.
To finish, I'd like to say that I do not wish Dirk Kuyt any ill will, in fact, I'd like to see the lad suddenly shine and force his detractors to eat their words. I'd wager they heard me shouting in Kerry last night when he knocked the ball in with his shin. But after a few seasons of watching him in a Liverpool side, I just cannot see that happening...unfortunately.
Tony