Historical cult hero: Liverpool – Dirk Kuyt
If there was ever a man the Liverpool faithful could rely upon to bag a late goal, it was Dirk Kuyt.
The Dutchman was unrelenting in his commitment to the cause and Reds fans will never forget his contribution to the club.
Snapped up by Rafa Benitez in 2006 for £10million as a prolific forward, Kuyt operated mostly on the right during his six years at Anfield and was, at first, widely underappreciated.
But few could match his energy levels and sheer willingness to keep going and make the difference to the team.
Liverpool fans have always taken players who play with passion and for the shirt to their hearts and Kuyt’s unwavering devotion makes him the ultimate cult hero.
Relentless
There are stories that Kuyt used to lap his teammates on runs during training and many could testify to how big his engine was.
But if you believe fitness was his only quality, then think again. He may not have had the silky skills of Fernando Torres or Luis Garcia but he was a highly effective player, who was more than a match for any full-back.
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Leighton Baines used to call the Dutchman ‘the nightmare’ for his tenacity and never-say-die attitude during feisty Merseyside derbies.
Kuyt was fortunate not to see red at Goodison Park for a wild lunge on Phil Neville, a challenge that no doubt endeared himself to the Anfield fans and angered Evertonians alike.
Not just on the pitch, but off it, he was working hard for the team – Kuyt helped Luis Suarez settle in England after he moved from Ajax in 2011 and was leader in the dressing room.
Man for the big occasion
They say hard work pays off and that certainly was the case for Kuyt, who not only contributed with goals but crucial goals at that.
The Dutchman was composed from the penalty spot and rarely missed when called upon. Kuyt slotted home the winning spot-kick in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea in 2007 to set up a rematch with AC Milan in Athens.
He also netted in the 2012 League Cup final, a last-minute penalty to salvage a draw at Arsenal, and bagged five goals against the Toffees in his time. When there was a big occasion, Kuyt never went missing.
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Hat-trick downs Fergie’s United
There’s nothing quite like a hat-trick against your fiercest rivals to ensure that you’ll go down in Liverpool folklore.
The 2010-11 season was an inconsistent one for the Reds, with two defeats against Premier League newbies Blackpool but impressive victories over Chelsea and Manchester City.
But it was their 3-0 thumping of eventual champions Manchester United that put a shine on the season and nobody deserved a hat-trick more than Kuyt.
All three of the goals were relative tap-ins but the hard-working Dutchman showed composure when needed to send the Kop delirious.
Kuyt recently finished his career by also netting a hat-trick for Feyenoord to help them snatch their first Eredivisie title since 2000 and no-one could deny Dirk Kuyt deserved his final glory.
