Kuyt: Hard working

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has hailed the contribution hard-working Dirk Kuyt makes to the Reds.

The Dutch striker scored his first league goal since last November when netting the winner against Manchester City last week.

It was a welcome relief for a player who has also scored 10 goals in 27 UEFA Champion's League games.

But Benitez insists he does not judge Kuyt simply on his goalscoring record.

Most important

The Liverpool boss told the club's official website: "His teamwork is amazing. When you talk about a team, that's the most important thing.

"Players like Kuyt are key. You can use the quality of people like Fernando Torres or Steven Gerrard, but you always need players working really hard.

"If you have players with offensive mentality, you need players who can do the ugly jobs.

"You need to work hard in defence. As a striker, Kuyt is doing his defensive work very well and also scoring important goals."

Benitez added: "He was scoring goals in the Champions League and now he's scored in the league. I think it was important for him and in the end it was important for us too.

"Everyone, especially all his team-mates, will be really pleased for him because it is amazing how he works every day, every training session and every game."