Dirk Kuyt

Dutch international Dirk Kuyt was signed from Feyenoord for a fee in the region of ?10 million in the summer of 2006 and has been worth every penny. Unselfish and versatile, he has earned a reputation as one of the hardest-workers in the game and has been a first team regular under different managers. He left Feyenoord with a record of 83 goals in 122 appearances and made an impressive debut for his new club as a substitute at home to West Ham on August 26. The following week he returned to Holland after being named Dutch Player of the Year. That season ended with the Champions League final and it was Kuyt who scored the winning penalty in the semi-final triumph over Chelsea. He was rewarded with a starting place against AC Milan and notched scored the Reds’ late consolation in Athens. He helped Liverpool reach another Champions League semi-final the following season, and played for Holland in the World Cup of 2006 and 2010. On the latter occasion Holland reached the final for the first time in 32 years, only for Spain to claim the trophy in extra-time. He found some consolation in top-scoring for the Reds in 2010-11, with his tally of 15 including a memorable hat-trick against Manchester United at Anfield. Kuyt was born in the small fishing village of Katwijk and at 12 had to make the decision to become a fisherman or a professional footballer. He chose the latter and went on to play with Quick Boys, FC Utrecht and Feyenoord before joining Liverpool.