Kuyt signs new long-term deal
Liverpool Football Club today confirmed Dirk Kuyt has put pen to paper on a new contract at Anfield.
The Dutch striker, who has scored 61 goals in 235 appearances for the Reds since signing from Feyenoord in 2006, has committed his future to the club and signed a new long-term deal.
Director of Football Damien Comolli said: "We are very pleased. Dirk has been here and been performing to a high level for a long time. When players like him, with his experience and attitude, want to commit to the club for the future then it's very rewarding.
"When you see his performances it's obvious why we wanted him to stay. It's his work-rate, his ability on the ball - as he showed on Monday with a goal against Manchester City - and his fantastic work ethic both at Melwood on a daily basis and during games.
"He's also a versatile player who can play in three or four positions and that is so important in the modern game. Since Kenny has been here Dirk has played as a striker, as a second striker and on the right also. When you add to that his skills as an individual - on a daily basis it's great to have him around because he always smiles, works hard and has the club at heart - then it's a mix of all those things that makes us happy to have him here in the long term."
And coming hot on the heels of Lucas also tying his future to Anfield, Comolli insists this represents another statement of intent from the Reds.
"It's the same as with Lucas," he added. "When we feel a player has been doing well and think he will do well in the future, we will do everything to keep them. If the first thing they tell you is 'I want to stay at Liverpool' then it's a strong sign of stability.
"All the signs show we are going places and in the right direction. I don't think Dirk even contemplated talking to other clubs because from day one he said he wanted to stay, and the longer the better.
Dirk Kuyt today celebrated signing a contract extension at Anfield and admitted: "Now I want to win trophies."
The Dutchman has put pen to paper on a new long-term Liverpool deal, following in the footsteps of teammate Lucas Leiva who also committed his future to the club last month.
Having established himself as a first-team regular during his five years on Merseyside, Kuyt has now set his sights firmly on helping the Reds bring silverware back to Anfield.
"It's a great feeling to sign my second extension for the club," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It feels like a privilege to help the club back to where they belong.
"I've had a great time so far. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and it's special to be here. We've come close to winning trophies a few times but unfortunately it didn't happen.
"It's great to play five years for a club like Liverpool but you want to win trophies and that's what I am aiming for. That's what I believe in and what I will be fighting for."
Kuyt's optimism for a successful Anfield future is fuelled by the owners' determination to bring in top quality players - and a thriving Academy set-up in Kirkby.
"Everyone knows the last two seasons have not gone as good as we would have wanted, but I don't like to look at the past," he added. "The future looks bright.
"Since the arrival of the owners a lot of things have happened in a positive way and I think everyone can see we have been playing better. We can see the quality of the players who arrived in January and also it's right to say that the youth players have done well. Martin Kelly has had a good season, although he is unfortunately injured at the moment, and John Flanagan played well against Manchester City.
"The future is bright here, definitely."
And although Kuyt has signed for the long-term, he admits there are also short-term aims to achieve over the remainder of this season.
"We have lots to play for," he said. "We have to win all of our games, starting on Sunday. It will be difficult but we have shown we can beat the best in this league. We've done it against Chelsea, City and United, so hopefully we can add Arsenal to that."
Source
source 2
Finally! If anyone deserves a new contract, it's Dirk!
The Dutch striker, who has scored 61 goals in 235 appearances for the Reds since signing from Feyenoord in 2006, has committed his future to the club and signed a new long-term deal.
Director of Football Damien Comolli said: "We are very pleased. Dirk has been here and been performing to a high level for a long time. When players like him, with his experience and attitude, want to commit to the club for the future then it's very rewarding.
"When you see his performances it's obvious why we wanted him to stay. It's his work-rate, his ability on the ball - as he showed on Monday with a goal against Manchester City - and his fantastic work ethic both at Melwood on a daily basis and during games.
"He's also a versatile player who can play in three or four positions and that is so important in the modern game. Since Kenny has been here Dirk has played as a striker, as a second striker and on the right also. When you add to that his skills as an individual - on a daily basis it's great to have him around because he always smiles, works hard and has the club at heart - then it's a mix of all those things that makes us happy to have him here in the long term."
And coming hot on the heels of Lucas also tying his future to Anfield, Comolli insists this represents another statement of intent from the Reds.
"It's the same as with Lucas," he added. "When we feel a player has been doing well and think he will do well in the future, we will do everything to keep them. If the first thing they tell you is 'I want to stay at Liverpool' then it's a strong sign of stability.
"All the signs show we are going places and in the right direction. I don't think Dirk even contemplated talking to other clubs because from day one he said he wanted to stay, and the longer the better.
Dirk Kuyt today celebrated signing a contract extension at Anfield and admitted: "Now I want to win trophies."
The Dutchman has put pen to paper on a new long-term Liverpool deal, following in the footsteps of teammate Lucas Leiva who also committed his future to the club last month.
Having established himself as a first-team regular during his five years on Merseyside, Kuyt has now set his sights firmly on helping the Reds bring silverware back to Anfield.
"It's a great feeling to sign my second extension for the club," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "It feels like a privilege to help the club back to where they belong.
"I've had a great time so far. Liverpool are one of the biggest clubs in the world and it's special to be here. We've come close to winning trophies a few times but unfortunately it didn't happen.
"It's great to play five years for a club like Liverpool but you want to win trophies and that's what I am aiming for. That's what I believe in and what I will be fighting for."
Kuyt's optimism for a successful Anfield future is fuelled by the owners' determination to bring in top quality players - and a thriving Academy set-up in Kirkby.
"Everyone knows the last two seasons have not gone as good as we would have wanted, but I don't like to look at the past," he added. "The future looks bright.
"Since the arrival of the owners a lot of things have happened in a positive way and I think everyone can see we have been playing better. We can see the quality of the players who arrived in January and also it's right to say that the youth players have done well. Martin Kelly has had a good season, although he is unfortunately injured at the moment, and John Flanagan played well against Manchester City.
"The future is bright here, definitely."
And although Kuyt has signed for the long-term, he admits there are also short-term aims to achieve over the remainder of this season.
"We have lots to play for," he said. "We have to win all of our games, starting on Sunday. It will be difficult but we have shown we can beat the best in this league. We've done it against Chelsea, City and United, so hopefully we can add Arsenal to that."
Source
source 2
Finally! If anyone deserves a new contract, it's Dirk!