Player profile

An industrious forward who has been a regular in the national set-up since making his debut under Marco van Basten in 2004, Kuyt made three appearances at the last World Cup and was controversially preferred to Ruud van Nistelrooy for the second round exit to Portugal, when he offered little threat. He also played in all four of the Netherlands’ Euro 2008 matches.

Kuyt is a popular figure at Liverpool, where his work-rate and selfless team ethic has won over fans who originally criticised his lack of goals. Four Merseyside derby goals against Everton have also helped.

Signed as a forward, he has spent much of his time at Anfield playing on the right wing. Kuyt started his career at Utrecht (160 league games/51 goals), joining Feyenoord in 2003 (101 league games/71 goals) before making a £10m move to the Reds after the 2006 World Cup.

He grew up in small village where his father was a fisherman. He was offered an apprenticeship aboard the fishing boats but turned it down because he did not want to miss midweek football training.