FAIRCLOUGH ON KUYT, MADRID AND CHELSEA

It's been our best ever start to a Premier League season and we've achieved it in the most dramatic fashion.

But while we've all enjoyed seeing the Reds make some startling comebacks in recent weeks, Dirk Kuyt in particular might have enjoyed it a little more than most.   The tireless Dutchman has suddenly refound his passion for scoring goals and is now earning rave reviews not just for his workrate but more for his four goals in the last three games.   There is no doubt the Reds have been making life hard for themselves in gifting opponents the lead, but we can't go on giving teams a head start and expect to keep hitting back. It might be exciting to watch but wouldn't it be better to make things easier for ourselves?   It's not just Rafa who might be needing to consult his doctor the way we are going on, certainly fewer have been heading for the exits early in recent weeks.   The significant feature in all the comebacks so far has been the natural change in attitude, attacking spirit is obviously the way forward. Some of Rafa's substitutions this season have been really adventurous and at one stage on Saturday we had six forwards out there. I can't remember seeing so many forwards strung across Anfield as we attacked the Kop, our goal difference mightn't be that great but points on the board are more important.   The loss of Fernando Torres due to the international break was potentially a nightmare scenario - other than losing Stevie, Rafa could hardly have had worse news. But, asked to fill in for El Nino, Kuyt had perhaps his most effective game for the Reds. With Liverpool now generally looking a more balanced unit with the addition of Albert Riera on the left and Jeramine Pennant playing his part on Saturday, if we can get bodies into the opposition box we will score goals and that was certainly the secret of the recent comebacks over Man City and Wigan.   Dirk looked more at home working through the middle and though he hasn't got the pace to run away from defenders, his natural instinct to score is there and he looked like he loved it on Saturday.   I've sensed a reluctance from him to admit he misses scoring goals on a regular basis but anyone who scored as many times as he did for Feyenoord must surely want to receive similar acclaim from an adoring Kop. With his recent scoring exploits he has shown his real potential and effectively raised the bar of expectancy, for me he looks a completely different player getting on the end of things.   If Dirk could transmit his European goal scoring form into the league on a regular basis he would prove priceless, ten goals in his last 17 Euro games proves he's a man with the knack but has seemed at times happy to understate some of that killer instinct.   I know he's happy to fulfil any role Rafa asks of him but he could be more effective if he shows a greater desire to get into the danger zone a bit more. He's shown he can finish sp let's see it much more. If Liverpool are to mount a real challenge this year the goals will need to come from a greater nucleus of players and Kuyt - if he continues the way he's going - could be a vital weapon in our aims.   In recent years I think we can point to our inability to score goals from enough players which has seen us fall short of Man Utd and Chelsea. With Kuyt in this form - and if we can get one or two more scoring along with Torres and Gerrard on a regular basis - we can maintain our challenge on the heels of the leaders.   Rafa was obviously frustrated at losing Nando and could hardly hide his disappointment. If we are to be real contenders then we can't be without him for too long, one or two games can be okay though the next two matches could hardly be tougher.   I know we did manage without him against Man Utd but to have him absent for too long would be too much of a strain.   There'll be disappointment on both sides tonight when Atletico's favourite son misses out on the dream return to the Vicente Calderon Stadium. It was probably the one game El Nino was really looking forward to this season, only to be robbed of the opportunity with the unfortunate hamstring injury picked up last week.   The Reds will have to be at their best if we are to be the first English side to beat Atletico in their backyard, a side we are meeting for the first time. Though we have an exceptional record of playing in Spain, Atletico are currently one of the more eye-catching sides in the Champions League despite having lost their last three Spanish league games.   For Rafa it's a return to his home town while on the pitch despite no Torres it could still be a case of old friends reunited. In Atletico's star-studded line up we should see Anfield European hero Luis Garcia and Sinama Pongolle, who never really fulfilled his true potential with the Reds but who has been impressive since leaving for Spain.   While the Champions League takes up our attentions tonight, once the final whistle blows in Madrid attention will swiftly turn to the massive game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. I must admit I've been impressed with the start Chelsea have had under Luis Felipe Scolari and for me they are the team we will have to be ahead of if we have title hopes.   Hopefully the fact Nando has been left back at Melwood to have treatment will increase his chances of playing at the Bridge, the Londoners have more than their fair share of injury problems but the strength of their squad masks any weakness.   Chelsea's home record is remarkable and it's never been the easiest place for us to visit, though we have shown the ability to stifle them under Rafa, but we are still frustrated by the fact we can't claim the win. Sunday would be perfect timing to break Rafa's duck with spirit in the camp on a real high.

 

David Fairclough 22 October 2008