Sunday 15th October 2006
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REDS ROUND UP

Dirk Kuyt

Kuyt talks Bellamy

Post match reaction and Kuyt on Bellamy.

Rafa Benitez had this to say after yesterday's miserable 1-1 draw against Blackburn.

"I think in the second half we played much better than the first half."

"In the first half they pressed hard and high but in the second half we created enough to win it.

"They were pressing high, it was difficult and we were losing the second balls.

"But in the second half we started winning the second balls and playing with the wingers and the strikers and I thought that was totally different."

Concerning Bellamy's first goal, Benitez was pleased.

"Yes I think it's important for him and also for the team. We weren't talking about when he would score but it's positive news."

On the injury front concerning Agger, Kuyt, Momo and Fowler.

"All of them are now with the doctors and the physio and maybe we can have one or two of them (available) but I think it will be difficult."

Meanwhile Mark Hughes was pleased with the draw.

"I thought we showed excellent commitment and bravery today, when you come to grounds like Anfield you have to be brave in possession and brave out of possession and we were certainly that," Hughes told Sky Sports.

"We weren't overawed, we came here to play football and I think in the first half Liverpool really struggled to get a grip on the game.

"Second half they went a little bit more direct and bypassed our midfield and we just had to withstand a little bit more pressure in the second half as you'd expect being the away side.

"Even so, even in the second half we had an opportunity towards the end where we could have possibly got the three points but given the circumstances leading into the game, we had a lot of players away, our two full backs flew right across the world to get here today, they were excellent, committed and a professional performance."

"We just switched off and he (Bellamy) was there to score.

"I can't say I was pleased for him but you can take my point, he was excellent for us last year and we wish him well because he was a big part of our success and I'm sure he'll be a big success."

Finally Dirk Kuyt has been sympathising with the decisions Bellamy get's against him.

"I will try my best to get him chances, but he is so fast that sometimes he fools the assistant referees," explained Kuyt.

"He is so fast on to passes they think he must have been offside, but that is not the case - he is onside.

"I feel sorry for him when he doesn't get the decisions he should."

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