Reds on a roll as high-flying Kuyt shows his class

DIRK KUYT believes he has proved the doubters wrong.

Back home in Holland there were many who were quick to claim the £10 million (€15 million) striker did not have the class, technique and quality to make the jump to the summit of the Premiership.

It was a slur that annoyed Kuyt at the time, but five goals in his last six Premiership matches suggests he can make a major impact for Liverpool.

Two against Reading — neither spectacular but the sort of bread-and-butter finishing that marks out a true goalscorer — gave Liverpool their fourth successive home victory in 11 days, and sent them up to seventh place.

Kuyt may not be perfect technically, but his energy, running, belligerence and instinct for an opening has already made him a Kop hero.

He said: “I know people in Holland were doubting I could play here when I joined, but I just intend to give 100% every time and I believe I can play at this level. I did well in Holland, although I accept the pace is much greater in England and the Premier League is a higher level.

“But I knew what to expect. I watched the Premier League on television for many years before I came here. I knew how fast it all was and it was one of the world’s best competitions.

“I wanted it so much and now I am here and scoring goals. Now I just want to show what I’ve got.”

His first effort to deflate organised, purposeful but limited Reading, was to finish off a Peter Crouch knockdown in the box and the second was scooped home from a few feet in a melee following a corner.

Nothing pretty about either, but teams at the top live or die by their ability to profit from the mundane.

Kuyt has done that throughout his career, and it is continuing at Anfield, where fans can see glimpses of a former Kop idol in the all-action Dutchman.

Kevin Keegan was never the world’s greatest striker but he forced himself to high levels with tenacity, workrate and sheer willpower. Kuyt can follow that example.

Manager Rafael Benitez believes Kuyt is becoming the complete striker claiming: “Dirk is a very good worker. I knew the player when he was at Vitesse Arnhem and Utrecht before he moved to Feyenoord. He always worked hard and scored goals, giving defenders a lot of problems, the complete striker.

“He created much for his team-mates and now his understanding with Peter Crouch is very good and he can also create space for Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso to exploit with their runs.”

Kuyt said: “It was a difficult game because they were defending a lot. Myself and Peter (Crouch) had three defenders on us all the time so I am happy with the result and the two goals for me.

“But the most important thing is to play well for the team. Then I know the goals will come for me and everyone. The most important thing for me is winning, not how many I score.

“I have settled well, it’s getting better and better on and off the field. I love playing at Anfield and I like the city and the people.

“We can still produce more, not only me. I have played three matches on the trot with Peter and that partnership is getting better. It was the same with Craig Bellamy. We were improving together so there are now two partnerships we can use knowing they work well.

He added: “I can work with both players. Things are improving although I know there is still a big gap between us and the top sides. But if we can win at Arsenal next week then things will start to change for us. That will be the big test after four home wins and the bad start we have made in our away games.”

Opta Fact: Liverpool would be top if only home games counted, while they would be in the bottom three if only away games were considered. They have only failed to score once in the last 23 Premiership games at Anfield.