Dirk's best goal? You decide

[Broomy]

Dirk's best goal? You decide

Dirk Kuyt once again proved himself to be the man for the big occasion after his 50th goal for Liverpool settled Saturday's 213th Merseyside derby. The Reds' no. 18 has developed a reputation for netting crucial strikes for Rafael Benitez's men - but which one is his best effort to-date? The Holland international has taken 181 games to reach the milestone since his arrival at Anfield from Feyenoord in August 2006. It's fair to say the man with a unique penchant for scoring on the big occasion has netted some vital goals over the last three-and-a-half seasons.

Liverpoolfc.tv have recently set up a poll to find Dirk Kuyt's finest goal and have considered each one of his half century of goals for the club and narrowed it down to a list of 10 contenders.

Do you agree with LFC.tv Top 10 and let us know what you think is Dirks finest Goal so far...


The following article was written by liverpoolfc.tv's James Carroll


Goal 1 - Newcastle United
Premier League
20 September 2006
Dirk scored his first Liverpool goal in his fifth appearance for the club. The Reds' No.18 capped a lively display by opening the scoring in the 29th minute. Xabi Alonso's defence-splitting pass played Steve Finnan into the right channel and the full-back delivered a low cross to the near post, which was turned over the line by Kuyt from close-range.


Goal 2 - Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
23 September 2006
Kuyt made it two goals in as many games with his first at the Kop end. The Dutchman took control of Luis Garcia's cleverly disguised pass and lashed a thunderous effort past Spurs' goalkeeper Paul Robinson.


Goal 3 - Aston Villa
Premier League
28 October 2008
Dirk claimed his third Liverpool goal with a well taken strike against Villa. Jamie Carragher's lofted ball into the box was nodded down to Kuyt by Sami Hyypia and the Dutchman took a touch on his chest before arrowing a volley into the bottom corner.


Goal 4 - Reading
Premier League
4 November 2008
Liverpool's No.18 took his tally for his new club to five goals with a brace against Reading at Anfield. Kuyt netted his first of the afternoon after 14 minutes when he turned Peter Crouch's header across goal into the back of the net from close-range.


Goal 5 - Reading
Premier League
4 November 2008
Dirk scored his second on 72 minutes. Reading 'keeper Marcus Hahnemann failed to hold Peter Crouch's header from a corner, allowing Kuyt to turn the ball over the line.


Goal 6 - Wigan Athletic
Premier League
2 December 2006
Kuyt got himself on the score sheet as the Reds ran riot at the JJB Stadium with Liverpool scoring four first half goals to stun Wigan. Dirk claimed the Reds' third, benefiting from Craig Bellamy's unselfish pass across goal when one-on-one with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, which left the Dutchman with the simple task of passing the ball into an empty net.


Goal 7 - Bolton Wanderers
Premier League
1 January 2007
Dirk started 2007 with a bang as he claimed his seventh Liverpool goal in a 3-0 New Years Day thumping of Bolton. The striker deservedly netted when he collected a pass from Luis Garcia and used his strength to hold off a defender before steering the ball across Jussi Jaaskelainen.


Goal 8 - Arsenal
FA Cup third round
6 January 2007
Kuyt bagged a consolation goal for Liverpool in the FA Cup defeat to Arsenal when he turned a Peter Crouch header over the line from close-range with his head.


Goal 9 - Chelsea
Premier League
20 January 2007
Defending champions Chelsea were undone by a moment of brilliance from Dirk after just four minutes of this clash at Anfield. A clever touch with his head from Peter Crouch's flick gave the Holland international the space to lash a shot past an exposed Petr Cech, having completely wrong-footed defender Paulo Ferreira.



Goal 10 - West Ham United
Premier League
30 January 2007
Kuyt's 10th goal for the Reds came as he smashed Liverpool into the lead at Upton Park with a stunning 25 yard strike just 10 seconds after half-time. The forward let fly with a powerful, dipping shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar.


Goal 11 - Reading
Premier League
7 April 2007
Dirk scored the winning goal with just five minutes remaining as Liverpool downed Reading for the third time in the 2006-07 season.
Jermaine Pennant's deep cross picked out Kuyt and he headed home from eight yards to secure three points for the Reds.


Goal 12 - Wigan Athletic
Premier League
21 April 2007
Kuyt claimed another double as Liverpool saw off Wigan at Anfield.
He opened the scoring when he flicked Jermaine Pennant's deep cross over the stranded Wigan goalkeeper.


Goal 13 - Wigan Athletic
Premier League
21 April 2007
The Dutch ace notched his second of the afternoon when a swift break from the Reds saw Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise play a clever one-two before the ball broke for Kuyt, who made no mistake with a fine drive on the turn.


Goal 14 - AC Milan
Champions League final
23 May 2007
Kuyt gave Liverpool fans late hope in the Champions League final in Athens when he scored with a close-range header after Daniel Agger had flicked a corner on, though it would prove just a consolation.


Goal 15 - Toulouse
Champions League qualifier
28 August 2007
Dirk put the gloss on a comfortable win for Liverpool in the Champions League qualifier against Toulouse with two late goals.
His first saw him play a neat one-two with fellow countryman Ryan Babel in the box before sliding a low shot across goal.


Goal 16 - Toulouse
Champions League qualifier
28 August 2007
The Dutchman claimed his second of the night moments later.
Latching onto Benayoun's threaded pass through the Toulouse back line, Kuyt managed to lift the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.


Goal 17 - FC Porto
Champions League group stage
18 September 2007
Kuyt scored Liverpool's equaliser as the Reds drew with FC Porto.
Steve Finnan's free-kick was headed back across goal by Sami Hyypia, allowing Kuyt to nod home from close-range.


Goal 18 - Everton
Premier League
20 October 2007
Kuyt scored two second-half penalties, including one in injury-time, to help Liverpool come from behind to beat Everton at Goodison Park. The striker scored with his first on 54 minutes to draw the Reds level after Steven Gerrard had been brought down in the box by Tony Hibbert.


Goal 19 - Everton
Premier League
20 October 2007
Dirk kept his composure to score the winning penalty in stoppage-time after Phil Neville's handball on the goal line from a Lucas shot had dramatically given the Reds the chance to claim victory from the spot.



Goal 20 - Newcastle United
Premier League
24 November 2007
The Reds' No.18 notched his first 2007-08 league goal from open play in rather fortunate circumstances at St James' Park as Hyypia's flick-on from a Gerrard corner was bundled over the line via the shin of Kuyt. Nevertheless, they all count.


Goal 21 - Marseille
Champions League group stage
11 December 2007
Liverpool needed to beat Marseille in France to ensure their progression into the knock-out phase of the Champions League.
Kuyt made victory almost certain with the Reds' third goal of the evening, when he sprung the offside trap and fired the ball into the top corner from the edge of the six yard box.


Goal 22 - Barnsley
FA Cup 5th Round
16 February 2008
Ryan Babel's trickery down the wing saw him reach the touchline before he cut the ball back to his fellow countryman and Kuyt made no mistake with his finish.

Goal 23 - Inter Milan
Champions League last 16, first-leg
19 February 2008
Kuyt put Liverpool on their way to another famous European victory at Anfield with the opening goal against Inter Milan. Jermaine Pennant's cross from the right found the Dutch international at the back post, who took a touch on his chest before drilling a volley towards goal that crossed the line via the aid of the deflection.


Goal 24 - Arsenal
Champions League quarter final, first-leg
2 April 2008
Dirk gave Liverpool a priceless away goal at the Emirates after the Reds had fallen behind. Steven Gerrard powered into the box before firing the ball across the face of goal to find Kuyt at the back post, who turned it across the line on the slide.


Goal 25 - Chelsea
Champions League semi final, first-leg
22 April 2008
Kuyt came to the fore on another huge European occasion once again as he put Liverpool in front against Chelsea at Anfield.
Javier Mascherano's attempted shot looped into the area but was collected by Kuyt inside the box and the Dutch striker held off the challenge of Claude Makalele to steer it through the legs of Petr Cech.


Goal 26 - Standard Liege
Champions League qualifier, second-leg
27 August 2008
The Dutchman prevented Liege from taking Liverpool to a penalty shoot-out with a last-gasp extra-time winner in the Champions League qualifier at Anfield. Ryan Babel whipped in a dangerous cross from the left and Kuyt arrived at the back post to stab the ball home.


Goal 27 - PSV Eindhoven
Champions League group stage
1 October 2008
Kuyt put the Reds on their way to a comfortable victory over PSV Eindhoven with an early strike. After Fernando Torres' effort from a corner was blocked by the goalkeeper, the ball broke to the Dutchman, who took a touch before lashing it into the back of the net.


Goal 28 - Manchester City
Premier League
5 October 2008
Dirk completed a dramatic comeback for Liverpool at Manchester City with a winning goal in injury-time. The Reds had fought back from two goals down at half-time to draw level before the ball broke for Kuyt at point-blank range and the striker hammered it into the roof of the net to send the travelling Kop wild.


Goal 29 - Wigan Athletic
Premier League
18 October 2008
Kuyt hit two goals as Liverpool once again staged a comeback, this time against Wigan at Anfield. Dirk drew the Reds level midway through the first half after Daniel Agger's mazy run from the back resulted in the Dane cutting the ball back to our No.18, who sent the ball past Chris Kirkland from six yards.






Goal 30 - Wigan Athletic
Premier League
18 October 2008
The Dutchman scored his second late winner in as many games with a scissor-kick from Jermaine Pennant's cross that bounced into the ground and looped over the grasp of Kirkland. It was the first time Kuyt had scored in three consecutive games since arriving on Merseyside.


Goal 31 - Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
1 November 2008
Kuyt put Liverpool into the lead at White Hart Lane after just three minutes. Robbie Keane turned a defender in the box before laying the ball into the path of the Holland star. He let fly with a rasping drive that rocketed into the top corner from a tight angle.


Goal 32 - Bolton Wanderers
Premier League
15 November 2008
Dirk gave Liverpool a first-half lead that their dominance deserved with a fine goal. A near twenty-pass move resulted in Fabio Aurelio whipping in a cross that found the head of Kuyt, who in turn planted a perfect header into the back of the net from 10 yards


Goal 33 - Portsmouth
Premier League
7 February 2009
The striker smashed home a late equaliser in an end-to-end clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, before Fernando Torres headed the winner in stoppage-time to seal a 3-2 triumph.


Goal 34 - Manchester City
Premier League
22 February 2009
Kuyt drew Liverpool level with 12 minutes remaining of a testing encounter against City at Anfield. Yossi Benayoun's left wing cross was scuffed goalwards by Fernando Torres, but the ball broke into Dirk's path and he stabbed home from close quarters.


Goal 35 - Aston Villa
Premier League
22 March 2009
Dirk put the Reds on their way to a 5-0 Anfield rout of Aston Villa. Xabi Alonso's header from Steven Gerrard's free-kick crashed against the crossbar, but Kuyt was on hand to lash the loose ball home on the volley.


Goal 36 - Chelsea
Champions League quarter-final, second leg
14 April 2009
The Dutchman gave Liverpool hope of pulling off a remarkable comeback in another European tie with Chelsea. Kuyt headed Albert Riera's cross home late on to put the Reds 4-3 up on the night and leave them needing just one more goal to progress into the last four. However, Frank Lampard's late strike ended Rafael Benitez's side's hopes - but they were able to hold their heads up high after a spirited performance at Stamford Bridge.


Goal 37 - Hull City
Premier League
25 April 2009
Dirk was at the double in a 3-1 triumph at Hull City. His first came in the 63rd minute as he reacted quickest to Martin Skrtel's deflected strike to nod into the back of the net at close-range.


Goal 38 - Hull City
Premier League
25 April 2009
Kuyt secured all three points a minute from time as Boaz Myhill punched Alvaro Arbeloa's cross into the path of the striker, who made no mistake with his finish.


Goal 39 - Newcastle United
Premier League
3 May 2009
The former Feyenoord star netted with a bullet header from Steven Gerrard's corner to double Liverpool's advantage in a comfortable 3-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield.



Goal 40 - West Bromwich Albion
Premier League
17 May 2009
Arguably one of Dirk's best for the Reds as the striker collected the ball midway in the West Brom half before charging forward and drilling a powerful strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.




Goal 41 - Stoke City
Premier League
19 August 2009
A world-class turn from Steven Gerrard helped the skipper claim an assist as the No.8 slipped a ball across goal, allowing Kuyt to slide home a third goal for Liverpool in a 4-0 demolition of Stoke.


Goal 42 - Burnley
Premier League
12 September 2009
A lightening counter-attack from a Burnley corner resulted in Kuyt tucking the ball into the back of the net after 'keeper Brian Jensen had palmed Yossi Benayoun's initial effort into his path.


Goal 43 - Debrecen
Champions League group stage
16 September 2009
Dirk reacted quickest to net the rebound after Fernando Torres' shot was saved to give Liverpool a hard-fought victory over the Hungarians.


Goal 44 - West Ham United
Premier League
19 September 2009
Kuyt displayed his predatory instincts once more to put Liverpool into the lead at Upton Park. This time the Holland international diverted Steven Gerrard's header from a corner over the line from yards out.


Goal 45 - Everton
Premier League
29 November 2009
Dirk secured the local bragging rights for Liverpool once again with another Park End strike at Goodison. Albert Riera's low drive from the edge of the box was too hot to handle for Tim Howard, and Kuyt was on hand to tap the ball into the empty net.


Goal 46 - Arsenal
Premier League
13 December 2009
Our No.18 punished Gunners stopper Manuel Almunia's poor attempt at dealing with a Fabio Aurelio free-kick by steering the loose ball through a crowd of players and over the line.


Goal 47 - Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
20 January 2010
Kuyt got Liverpool off to a flyer in a crunch Anfield clash with Spurs.
With just six minutes on the clock, Kuyt collected Alberto Aquilani's chested lay off and fired a strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.


Goal 48 - Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League
20 January 2010
Dirk secured the 2-0 win over Tottenham by displaying nerves of steel to score an injury-time penalty. The Dutchman was forced to take the kick twice by referee Howard Webb, but Kuyt kept his composure to rifle into the back of the net.


Goal 49 - Bolton Wanderers
Premier League
30 January 2010
Our No.18 broke the deadlock against a stubborn Bolton, bundling Alberto Aquilani's header over the line from close quarters.


Goal 50 - Everton
Premier League
6 February 2010
Dirk reached his half century with another winning goal in the Merseyside derby. This time, Kuyt edged out Phil Neville to head Steven Gerrard's corner into the back of the next and send Anfield into ecstasy.



Dirk's best goal? You decide

[Wazza]

Dirk 'always in the right place, at the right time' Kuyt. Jeez. Look how many of those goals show why he deserves such an accolade.

Dirk's goal at Upton Park in 2007 was a cracker. Head down, first time, bang!

[lfc.eddie]

Can't really picture most of his goals except for the recent ones, so I voted for the Spurs game. Mainly for the significance of that goal.

[xxTorresxx]

Depends on what you mean by best. The goals vs the likes of Spurs and Everton were vital to us but if you mean best by how good it actually was then I have to say goal number 10 vs W.Ham.

[Red Wire]

The West Ham one, although the one scored against Spurs last year when we were beaten in the league is my personal second favourite. Surprised it's not on there.

[Zoky]

The Aston Villa one at Anfield was a pretty decent one too.

I'm still about to decide though.

[Gears]

Dirk's goals aren't that spectacular. West Ham goal was amazing though. One in fifty.

[Matt]

Is that West Ham strike his only goal from outside the area?

[xxTorresxx]

Is that West Ham strike his only goal from outside the area?

Think so

[StGpaidi]

The one vs Inter drove me mad that night. There was a high percentance of luck in that strike but quality and importance too, so it got my vote.

[R-L-P-R-I]

Erm, the Spurs goal was outside the area. Just about.

Can't beat some of those goals for importance. Dirk pops up at the right time.

[_MesutOzil_]

even though i'm not his biggest fan...that west ham strike shows what he is capable of

[mazpool]

he is not my cup of tea but i love his goal against the spuds in our 3-0 win at anfield,great take and great shot.

[xxTorresxx]

even though i'm not his biggest fan...that west ham strike shows what he is capable of

lucky shot judging by the amount of high and wide efforts he has had from that kind of range

[_MesutOzil_]

lucky shot judging by the amount of high and wide efforts he has had from that kind of range

tottenham...just a week or two ago?

[Brock34]

The one vs Inter drove me mad that night. There was a high percentance of luck in that strike but quality and importance too, so it got my vote.

I went with Inter too. Dirk's goals aren't pretty. But 50 goals is very impressive. He puts himself in the right place and is great and attacking the goal to knock in deflections.

[xxTorresxx]

tottenham...just a week or two ago?

2/50 doesn't prove anything. Any other day he would have missed those chances.

[Red-Red]

I sometimes feel that Kuyt gets alot of unjustified stick simply because the team is playing badly, kind of a "lets point the finger at the Dutchman with the curly hair" (sort of speak).

I'll admit that sometimes the quality hasn't been there, but i look to the fact he was played out-wide as a makeshift winger when he clearly doesn't have the neccessary technical ability. That's not to say he's a bad player however because that goal return is not bad at all, considering the mass majority of his games in the last season or so has seen him out wide chasing the ball instead of attempting to put it in the net.

I personally like Kuyt, he does alot for the team and always gives his all which is an attitude the rest of the squad should be looking to emulate. He has shown in recent games that he does have the ability (and know how) to be in the right place to score the important goals that will keep us in the race for a CL spot. I'm confident that at the end of the season we'll look at Kuyt as a pivotal player in the campaign.

Oh and to answer the poll, that goal in the 2-0 against Chelsea at Anfield was instantly memorable for me, so i'll vote for that.

[RMP]

The one against chelsea was quite good but other than that and the one against west ham all the others arent that great

[Gilly?]

It's either the goal against Spurs in his first season where he shows brilliant control and a cool head or the goal against Bolton from last season where we saw brilliant one touch football down the pitch at a great pace and a clever head from Kuyt across the keeper.

[pozzwarners]

I thought his strike against Portsmouth last season was a cracker. Was from a super-tight angle and it was past David James before he even knew what happened.

[Gears]

Anyone else remember that post that compared kuyt's stats vs rooney's last season? Apparently the dutchman had better goals and assists? :o

[garth]

Anyone else remember that post that compared kuyt's stats vs rooney's last season? Apparently the dutchman had better goals and assists? :o

Probably cos Rooney was played out on the wing for much of the season to accomodate Ronaldo and Berbaflop.

I voted for the scissor kick against Wigan to win the comeback 3-2. Brilliant. Even though it wasn't technically superb, the drama of the match and his timing was magnificent.

[R-L-P-R-I]

2/50 doesn't prove anything. Any other day he would have missed those chances.

West Brom last season?

[What a RUSH]

I have to admit, I am not his biggest fan and in the long run I see him as a squad player only, but whilst he is banging them, Ill jump on the love Dirk Bandwagon.

His goal against Spurs was a good finish and all, and he has also scored vital goals in the past to keep us going. I just think in the context of momentum the goal at the weekend is so vital. That is why I voted Everton goal.