Past playersDirk Kuyt
Years: 2006-2012
Appearances: 285
Goals: 71
Honours: League Cup (2012)
Dirk Kuyt got through more hard work and running in one match than some players are capable of in a month and embedded his name into Liverpool history by scoring a series of unforgettable and crucial goals.
Flick through his highlights and you will find a hat-trick against Manchester United, a derby-winning brace at Goodison Park, numerous vital Champions League strikes, and a wonderful Wembley cameo in 2012.
Brought to the club by Rafael Benitez in 2006 following a prolific spell in his homeland, Kuyt's astonishing commitment and stamina instantly endeared him to Kopites. 14 goals in his maiden season did no harm to that relationship either.
He converted the penalty that took the Reds into the 2007 Champions League final at Chelsea's expense and nodded home a late consolation in the subsequent 2-1 defeat by AC Milan in Athens.
The Dutchman again proved his mettle from 12 yards not once, but twice in the Merseyside derby of October 2007, keeping his head in the heat of battle with Everton by planting home two penalties – with the second a dramatic, last-minute winner.
That season crystallised the forward's reputation as a man for the big occasion, with plenty of evidence provided by his efforts against Arsenal, Chelsea and Internazionale during another thrilling Champions League journey.
Benitez modified a willing Kuyt into a right-sided attacker in time for the 2008-09 season and the Netherlands international responded with 15 goals as the Reds came tantalisingly close to winning the league title.
He matched that tally two years later and created a piece of Liverpool history by bagging a famous treble at home to United, with the three attempts notched from a combined total of just seven yards.
His appearances were limited for perhaps the first time during 2011-12, although in typical fashion he recorded a lasting memory. Introduced as an extra-time substitute in the League Cup final against Cardiff City, he required just five minutes to thrash home a goal and found the target in the victorious penalty shootout.
Having finally experienced trophy success with the Reds, the forward opted for a new adventure when Brendan Rodgers replaced Kenny Dalglish as manager in the summer of 2012. But a mutual fondness will forever exist between the Kop and Kuyt.
