Pool’s fab four are just brothers in arms
The 27-year-old Dutchman scored twice against Toulouse in Tuesday night’s Champions League qualifier at Anfield, also creating Peter Crouch’s opening goal, but he still has no idea whether he will be in the side on Saturday in the Barclays Premier League against Derby.
Manager Rafael Benitez has already used four different strike partnerships this season in just five games, and wants that level of rivalry to create competition for a place in the side.
But after shooting Liverpool into the group stages draw in Monaco tomorrow, Kuyt maintains that there is a strong bond between himself, Crouch, Andriy Voronin and record signing Fernando Torres.
The four have all got off the mark already this campaign and have netted six goals between them.
Kuyt said: “All the strikers support each other, we all want each other to do well, and we are close as a unit.
“But it is going to be difficult because we have four good strikers and sometimes it is not so nice for one or two of us because we will not be on the pitch.”
Crouch has already had discussions with Benitez about the situation, and responded with his early goal against the French side after failing to be included in the two previous squad.
Kuyt added: “We understand why Peter was not happy recently, I believe it is something we would all feel if it happened to any of us.
He continued: “We are all trying to impress the manager, but this situation is also difficult for our opponents because they have no idea what pairing the manager will select for each match.’’
Two of the frontline four will have to sit out the Derby clash at Anfield where Liverpool will be bidding to maintain their unbeaten run this term.
Kuyt said: “In the Premier League we can only have a squad of 16, so there will only be one striker on the bench. It is easier in the Champions League because the squad is 18 players, which means there is the chance for two frontmen to be substitutes with the chance of getting on.
“We can all get involved then. But when it is the league and somebody is not getting involved, it means that person will not be happy with that.
Stand-in skipper Sami Hyypia, who has made it very clear he aims to stay at the club this term and become the back-up for Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger, headed the second against Toulouse and was impressed with the team’s overall display.
He said: “This club has to be in the group stages. There is always the chance you may not make it when you go through a qualifier, but the attitude was fine and we kept the tempo high.
“We moved the ball quickly and created a lot of chances.
“And it looks as if the manager feels he can make a lot of changes for every game. But as long as we keep getting the right results then what he is doing is justified.’’
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