'He's been a fantastic signing'

Rafael Benitez today hailed Dirk Kuyt as a 'fantastic signing' for Liverpool as the Dutchman closes in on his 200th Reds appearance.

Kuyt will reach the milestone should he figure against Hull City at the KC Stadium this afternoon - and the boss believes he has proven to be a fine acquisition for the club since arriving from Feyenoord in August 2006. 

"For someone who has come from abroad and played a lot of games with the passion he does, it is a fantastic achievement," Benitez told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It's always really important, but especially for a foreign player. 

"I think people will realise in the future how good he is for us. Not just in terms of his performances on the pitch, but also as a person and a professional.

"He is a very good example and a great character who is always very happy and positive. He has been a fantastic signing." 

Since moving to Anfield, Kuyt has been deployed in a series of different positions by Benitez - and the Holland star even offered to play at right-back during an FA Cup tie with Reading earlier this year.

However, it is a role on Liverpool's right flank where the 29-year-old has excelled most. 

"It's not his best position - we know that he is a striker - but he has been very good for us playing on the right side," added Benitez.

"He has done well, scored goals, and has also played as a second striker and a target man.  

"He has been good in all of these positions, but we needed to use him more on the right and he has done really well.

"That is the right attitude you expect from your players when you need them."