Kuyt merry cross the Mersey

PLAIN truths spoken in Melwood yesterday morning.

The sun sparkled over Liverpool FC’s training grounds, the staff couldn’t have been of a brighter disposition and Dirk Kuyt carried a wide smile with graceful aplomb.

What Red doesn’t, after recently sticking three goals past United?

The feelgood vibe that has enveloped the club since Kenny Dalglish’s appointment as interim manager as good as kissed the Irish journalists who descended on West Derby in Merseyside.

However, behind the beam, Kuyt didn’t flavour his words. Those three points picked up against United nine days ago have helped to keepLiverpool in the race for European football next season. Just not the type they have grown accustomed to.

Certainly not Dirk Kuyt, who recently tweeted that he missed theChampions League. Nine pointsbehind fourth-placed Chelsea having played one more game, he reckons that longing will continue into 2012.

“It’s different,” he said of the club’s current Europa League foray. “When you’re used to playing in the Champions League... it’s probably the highest level you can play at.

“Not being involved and watching the games on TV on Tuesdays and Wednesdays... it’s obviously disappointing.

“We just want to make sure we’re back there as soon as possible. For this season, it will almost be impossible but we’ll keep fighting to the end.

“To compare the Europa to the Champions League, it’s different but we played against a lot of teams that were pretty much unknown to us but were very strong.

“Sometimes, it makes it more difficult when you don’t know the opposition.”

Even with the help of their Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles’s insight into them, Sporting Braga were more of an unknown quantity for Liverpool.

Braga defend a 1-0 lead in Anfield on St Patrick’s Day, a game which has even more significance given Liverpool’s patchy form in the Premier League and European places at a premium in the competition.

In preparation for it and with last weekend free from fixtures, Dalglish afforded his players a couple of days off in the Algarve following the trip to play Braga.

“We played golf, had dinner together and had a good time,” revealed Kuyt. “Sometimes it’s good just to spend time together off the pitch.”

Yet another example of Dalglish showing an uncanny ability to read his players. While coach Steve Clarke has the tactical nous, man-management is the boss’s forte.

Seventeen points (five wins, two draws) from nine Premier League games is a handsome return but there has been no indication from New England Sports Ventures that the Scot will be handed a long-term deal as manager.

Kuyt’s mind is made up, though. “It is not my decision, but everyone can see it has worked out quite well with the players and management staff, so everyone is happy at the moment. For me he is a great person but also a great manager.”

The belief Dalglish transmits to his players has reaped dividends. Kuyt still has a lot of time for Roy Hodgson but the Dutchman admits the players have rediscovered their mojo under the current supremo.

“I think the most important thing in sport is confidence. I think you see a much more confident player on the pitch now than, say, six to seven months ago. That is very difficult to explain and know where it is coming from, but for me definitely it is the most important thing.

“I also believe six to seven months ago I was not the best, but 11 months ago I was playing a World Cup final, feeling at my top and sometimes it is difficult to explain where the form is coming from. But I can tell you now, we have our confidence back.”

Kuyt’s unselfishness isn’t restricted to the pitch. He has been instrumental in helping fellow fluent Dutch speaker Luis Suarez settle in Liverpool.

Although, he plays it down. The expectations at the club, he says, make the job a whole lot easier. Focuses minds.

“The history is really big here in Melwood or you go to Anfield. It is actually one of the things I said when Luis Suarez arrived here at Liverpool, that we are certainly not in the position where we want to be.”

Kuyt’s hat-trick against United was made all the sweeter as it silenced some of the Old Trafford fans who had got on his back for never scoring against their team. The goals further established his status as a cult hero with Liverpool fans. But in his fifth season with the club, he still has no silverware to show for his efforts.

So while he enjoys the songs, the reverence, it’s not enough. “People can’t really call you a legend unless you win trophies. There are things I would like to achieve and hopefully it will happen soon.”