Liverpool future uncertain for Dirk Kuyt

Dirk Kuyt has admitted he is waiting to see if Rafael Benitez remains as Liverpool manager before signing a new contract at the club.

Benitez’s long-running contract dispute with the Merseysiders has been well-documented but appeared to move a step closer with the news this week that Rick Parry, the club’s chief executive, will depart at the end of the season.

Kuyt, meanwhile, whose contract runs until next season, has insisted he is happy at the club and admitted Benitez would like to offer him a new contract, but only after his own future had been resolved.

“The manager told me he wants to give me a new contract,” Kuyt told The Times, “but because of his own contract he wanted to sort that out first and see what’s happening.

“For me, I’m focusing on the important games coming up. I’m not too worried about it at this stage. We’ll see.

“At this moment I’m really happy at Liverpool. I’m enjoying every day. It depends what the club wants. If the club wants to give me a new contract I’m more than happy to talk.”

Kuyt has become a vital member of Benitez’s Liverpool side and has been a virtual ever-present this season, scoring seven league goals along the way.

The Dutch international insisted that Benitez remaining at the club was very important to him and insisted that the Spaniard had the backing of everyone at the club, despite falling to third in the table on the back of some poor league results.

“Of course it’s very important for me who’s the manager, as it is for every player,” said Kuyt.

“I never thought the manager would go because everybody was talking about his new contract. As far as I can see he is focused on the games as well as the players are.

“The supporters have always been behind Benitez.

“He’s a great manager and has done great things for the club: Champions League, FA Cup. He’s done lots of good work for the club.”