Liverpool: 11 Best Ever Foreign Players From Premier League Era
9. Dirk Kuyt
Origin: Netherlands Bought From: Feyenoord Bought By: Rafael Benitez Apps: 285 Honours: League Cup 2012 The man in the boiler room, the Duracell bunny - Dirk Kuyt encapsulated the art of hard graft during his six seasons at Liverpool. Scoring important goals and claiming valuable assists along the way. These contributions made sure Kuyt was probably the third name on the team sheet behind Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher during his stay at L4. Kuyt arrived at Anfield on the back of a very successful spell at Feyenoord where he netted 83 goals in just over 120 appearances. It took him just three starts to net his first goal for LFC: at home to Newcastle on the 20th September 2006. Kuyt always earned praise for his hard work ethic but it was perhaps his vital Champions League goals that made him a Kop favourite during his time in Liverpool. He had that special knack of popping up with a goal when his team needed it most - like Steven Gerrard. Thus, he quickly became the go-to-man for Liverpool fans when something big needed doing. Goals against both Milan sides at Anfield and in the final in Athens immediately spring to mind when you think of some of the important Champions League goals he has scored on some of the grandest European stages. The 2007 semi-final shootout also springs to mind. The sad thing is, Kuyt very nearly became the longest serving Liverpool player to be at the club without winning a major honour but this unwanted and undeserved title was averted when Liverpool beat Cardiff City in the League Cup final, just last year - with Kuyt scoring Liverpool's second goal and one of their successful penalties in the shoot out. And although Kuyt ended his Liverpool career with just one major honour, he will forever be implanted as a Kop idol to those who grew up and watched Liverpool during the Benitez era.