Final victory has a ‘special’ significance for Kuyt

The Carling Cup may be derided in certain quarters but for Dirk Kuyt, a losing finalist in the World Cup and Champions League, his first winners’ medal with Liverpool is special.

A penalty shoot-out victory over Cardiff on Sunday, in which the Netherlands international scored in extra time and from the spot, ended the Reds’ six-year trophy drought.

It also brought to a close a long personal quest for Kuyt who, along with Fabio Aurelio, has been at the club the longest without winning a trophy.