Benitez hails Kuyt display

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has paid tribute to Dirk Kuyt for his performance in the Champions League semi-final with Chelsea.
The Dutch striker was a constant menace as he hit the bar, forced Petr Cech into a superb save and saw a goal controversially ruled out for offside.
Kuyt then scored the penalty that gave Liverpool an unassailable 4-1 lead in the shoot-out and secured their place in the final.
Benitez praised: "We always talk about Kuyt in terms of scoring goals, but that is only part of his game. He is a striker who is also a very good worker and he can control defenders around him with his effort and running.
"It is really important to have a striker like him. I know he was tired in extra-time but I did not consider taking him off.
"Then I got Robbie Fowler, mainly to take the last penalty, on and we asked Kuyt to play as a winger, and he could do that even at that stage.
"But I knew that Kuyt was capable of such efforts.
"Dirk hit the bar, forced Cech into a great save and then scored another, even if it was ruled out. The (offside) decision was very, very tight and I felt he was in line.
"It was important for him to score the winning penalty, a perfect end for him."
Benitez believes he was right to spend a reported £9million on Kuyt to prise him away from Feyenoord last summer.
He explained: "I know there was some surprise at the time we bought him because of the fee. But I was always confident in him.
"At the time I remember wanting to sign two players but we only had the money for one, and I just said `sign the striker, I want Kuyt'.
"I had confidence in him then and still do."
Kuyt was delighted to score from the penalty spot after seeing his goal disallowed in normal time.
"It was a great feeling to score the winning goal. Our defenders controlled the game, and the only thing Chelsea did was play long balls," he said.
"I thought I was onside for the goal not given. But in the end it does not matter. We have reached the final and that is what it is all about."

By:Lewis Rutledge
Date:2 May 2007
Credit:www.skysports.com