Liverpool Transfer News: Forward Dirk Kuyt Best Served Leaving Anfield

After making only 25 starts and managing just five goals and one assist for Liverpool in all competitions, it's not surprising to hear that Dirk Kuyt is preparing to leave Anfield.

Frankly, it's probably for the best. From The Mirror:

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The Holland international, 32 this summer, has a year to run on his Anfield contract, but seems destined to leave after a season in which he found first-team starts limited.

"There are many clubs who are interested," he told NUsport in Holland. "Not only from England, also from Germany, Spain and Italy."

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It's been rumored that Kuyt would return to Feyenoord in the Netherlands, but he has nixed those rumors, saying his cost would cripple the team economically and simply wouldn't work for either side.

Kuyt is only a year removed from starting 38 fixtures for Liverpool, tallying 15 goals and nine assists during the 2010-11 season, so it was a bit surprising to see his impact for Liverpool so decreased this season.

He is 31, so a gradual decline is to be expected, but such a drop-off in playing time and production between seasons is surprising, to say the least.

Certainly, Kuyt was surprised, noting last week he would consider remaining with Liverpool if the new coach gave him more playing time.

Prior coach Kenny Dalglish was fired after the season.

Frankly, it doesn't seem as though Kuyt has lost his touch just yet. In 10 starts with the Netherlands during the 2011-12 season, he managed six goals and two assists and is considered a valued member of that squad.

He could still be a valued member of Liverpool if he is utilized more next season. If not, I'm sure another team somewhere in Europe will be glad to add the hard-working veteran.

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