Liverpool FC: Where Should Dirk Kuyt Be Played This Season?

Hi guys, I'm back again, and seeing as I've worn out analysing the Sunderland match and the current centre back situation which Liverpool find themselves in, I thought I'd focus my attention to the team, and one player in particular: Dirk Kuyt.

Kuyt started out as a striker and was played in that position for his first season at the club, then for some reason was switched to the wing, like many other strikers that played for Liverpool at the time. Although Kuyt is a fast enough player for the wing and doesn't seem to tire at all, his crossing leaves a lot to be desired. When playing on the right, in front of Glen Johnson, who often goes up and seems to forget to track back, it leaves a giant gap on the right side.

Don't get me wrong: Kuyt is a great player and I think at the moment I'd prefer to see Kuyt on the right than Jordan Henderson, but there are so many players that can play on the right if necessary. I think Kuyt is now third or fourth choice for right wing behind Gerrard, Meireles, Suarez and Downing and even Aquilani at a push, assuming one of those (Suarez/Meireles or Downing) is on the left, in which case Kuyt would simply be warming the bench.

Of course this depends on the formation; there are two options that I saw for this against Sunderland: a 4-3-3, with Suarez roaming into the middle but is set as a left/right winger, or a 4-4-1-1, with Henderson on the right, Downing on the left, and Suarez and Carroll in the middle. The first option doesn't give Kuyt much first-team opportunities ahead of Downing and Suarez, but with the second choice I can see him either behind Carroll or in his place, or even on the wing.

Last season Kuyt got more of a striker's role under Dalglish because of Carroll's injury. With him being a striker was best proved with a hat trick against Man Utd, and because he usually scores from around two yards out, I think his talents are being underused on the wing.

I'd also prefer to see him as a striker because we do have a shortage there, unlike players on the wing. If David N'Gog goes, that's one fewer striker and will leave Carroll and Suarez, so having Kuyt as a striker would definitely be in Liverpool's best interests.

Either way I hope Kuyt doesn't start every game on the bench or is in a squad rotation with four other players, because Kuyt has still got something to bring to the team. Although he might not be at his best, he will always score goals.

Thanks for reading and feel free to comment on this topic.