Kuyt backs Torres to rediscover scoring touch

Dirk Kuyt today predicted Fernando Torres is primed to embark on a scoring spree – as he hailed the selfless attributes that help set him apart.

Though Torres failed to get on the scoresheet once again, he provided the assists for Kuyt and Steven Gerrard that helped Liverpool rescue a 2-2 draw against Sunderland on Saturday.

His overall performance was praised by boss Roy Hodgson and, with better fortune, Torres would have doubled his tally for the campaign had it not been for an incorrect offside decision.

Still, however, Torres finds his every move being closely scrutinised but Kuyt has urged critics to look at everything else his strike partner has been doing for the team.

In one way or another, Torres has been responsible for the Reds' last five Premier League goals and Kuyt expects that prolific theme to continue going forward.

"Everyone is expecting goals from Fernando but he does a lot more," Kuyt pointed out. "He was very quick with the ball and gave great passes to me and Stevie.

"Fernando is very important for the team, even if he is not scoring. I'm sure his goals will come. But if he is making assists, that is just as good. Fernando is okay. His mood has never changed.

"But if you are a striker and the type of striker he is, you want to be involved in goals."

Some have attributed Torres' negative body language in recent weeks to a sign that he is not happy on Merseyside but Kuyt thinks there is a much more straightforward explanation.

"Everyone could see how happy he was with the two assists he made," said Kuyt. "But, you know, if you are not winning games, you are not happy.

"I'm not happy. The rest of the team is not happy. That's normal. If you are Fernando - one of the world's best - everyone is watching you.

"If (critics) get a moment to blame him for something, they will take their chance. But we all know next week he can score a hat-trick and everything can change.

"If Fernando scores a hat-trick, I'm in a better mood because we will have won. We all want to challenge for things and I'm sure we will if we keep working hard."

Hard work is the only way Kuyt sees Liverpool emerging from a difficult run of results and he hopes the team that played at Anfield on Saturday will travel to Holland on Wednesday.

Liverpool face Kuyt's old club FC Utrecht in their second Europa League group game and he thinks the match provides a sound opportunity for them to find some form.

"If you play for Liverpool, you want to win every game," said Kuyt, who defied medical bulletins to return from a serious shoulder injury in just 19 days.

"You want to challenge for trophies. But with the situation we are in at the minute, you have got to be patient. You have to keep working hard and then things will change. We know we have quality.

"If we are in our best shape, we win this game.

"But one thing I can say is that we worked really hard for it and it's only a matter of time before we get there."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.