Football News : Kuyt determined to prove worth at Liverpool

By ESPNsoccernet staff

Dirk Kuyt says he is desperate to secure more first-team football but is happy to see Liverpool improve their strength in depth.

GettyImagesDirk Kuyt has had to adapt to less playing time this season

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Kuyt, who joined from Feyenoord in 2006, became an integral part of the Liverpool team under Rafael Benitez but, with the Reds having added to their midfield options during the summer, his place in the starting line-up is now far from guaranteed.

Kuyt says it has been frustrating to spend time on the bench but feels the new arrivals were necessary for Liverpool to challenge at the top of the table once more.

"From childhood, I've always been disappointed when I'm not in the team because I'm desperate to be involved and make a good contribution, but it also makes me very determined too," he told the club's official website. "I need to continue to prove myself, train as hard as possible and, when I do play, make sure my performance is of a high standard.

"Competition is tough now but it's brilliant for the club that there are so many players to choose from now - top-class international players. The play ers realise at the end of the day you need more than 11 good players to be successful.

"When I first arrived here we had a very good, big squad but, for the last two seasons before this one, we haven't had the depth that we did in the first three seasons.

"Someone like Craig Bellamy is a strong addition to what is already a very strong squad, and that can only be good for the team. We definitely have better quality now and more players to choose from as well.

"I think with the signings we've made, we have a great squad now so we should be ambitious and have confidence in ourselves."