Liverpool forward Dirk
Kuyt has dismissed speculation about Fernando Torres' state of mind and
insisted the striker has an important role to play even if he is
not scoring.
However, he has scored only once for Liverpool so far this
season - the winner against West Brom - and has started to show
signs of frustration on the pitch. Reports regularly claim the
Spain international is unhappy and is considering leaving Anfield,
as happened in the summer, but Kuyt said Torres' quality would see
him through.
"Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he offers a lot
more. Against Sunderland he was responsible for setting up the two
goals,'' said the Holland international, who returned to action
against the Black Cats earlier than expected after a shoulder
injury earlier this month.
"He is very important for the team even if he is not scoring
goals. I'm sure his goals will come. His mood has never changed. If
you are a striker, and the type of striker Fernando is, you want to
be involved in goals. But everyone could see how happy he was to
have set up two goals.
"When you are one of the world's best strikers everyone is
watching you so if they get a moment to blame him they will. And if
you are not winning games he is not happy, I am not happy and the
team is not happy. But we all know next week he could score a
hat-trick and then everything changes.''
Kuyt, who is hoping to be picked to face his former club in
Europe on Thursday, admits Liverpool have yet to get into gear
after their worst start to a top-flight season for 18 years, with
just six points from as many games.
"We are not at our level yet because if we were in our best
shape we would win these games,'' he said. "Every day everyone is
working very hard to get there, unfortunately against Sunderland it
didn't happen but we can't wait for the next opportunity to change
it.
"We as players want to win every game and challenge for trophies
but the situation at the club we have to be patient. If you are at
Liverpool expectations are always high and you are expected to win
every game. If you lose or draw people are not happy and we are not
happy and that is what we are at the moment.
"Things will come because we know we have quality and it just
takes time. We all want to win and challenge for things and I am
sure it will happen if we keep working. But we have to make sure we
get some points in (against Blackpool) before we go away for the
international break.''