Dirk Kuyt: Constantly Underestimated

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Something that has really started to annoy me recently is the attitude people have towards Dirk Kuyt.

He is automatically branded as a "hard-worker" a credit that is obviously true, however all too often his technical ability and contribution to the team are overlooked.

Last season, he scored three league goals, obviously unhappy playing down the right wing, a position he was unused to. This season however, he has adapted superbly,  contributing 15 goals for Liverpool, 12 of which have come in the Premiership.

This puts him ninth in the top scorers table, above the likes of Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Emmanuel Adebayor, and most importantly in the context of the transfer season, Carlos Tevez.

Tevez and Kuyt have been compared ad nauseum recently, both hard workers, both loyal to the club and fans, however Tevez constantly comes out on top as more technically gifted and better infront of goal.

Tevez himself has made exactly the same number of appearances this season as Kuyt has made for Liverpool (50), scoring in the process, wait for it... 15 goals, exactly the same number as Kuyt, even though Tevez plays as a striker for arguably the best side in the world, and Kuyt is playing only his second season at right midfield.

Add to this Kuyt's famous effort and industry, plus the number of assists he has from crosses into the area, and there is no way that it can be argued that all Kuyt offers is hard work.

When it comes to technical ability, Kuyt's first touch is perfection. I cannot count the number of times this season I've watched him bring down a long ball from Alonso or Gerrard in one movement, flicking it down the line and beating his man before delivering a ball into the box.

As for scoring, no one can say his scissor kick to take all three points against Wigan was anything but wonderful.

Now people may say that I'm going over the top, that there is no way he is better than Tevez, or that there are plenty of right wingers who could do a better job. But I think that a bit of celebration and praise is exactly what a man who is constantly willing to step back from the lime light needs.

It's about time that people saw Dirk Kuyt for what he is, so much more than just a hard worker, one of the best players in the Premiership.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?