#91 on the list is a glorious hit from Dirk Kuyt only seconds into the second half to break the deadlock at West Ham in the 2006-2007 season.
At the time of writing, Dirk Kuyt recently notched his 50th goal for Liverpool, but there won’t be many of higher quality than this one at West Ham during the 2006-2007 season. In truth, it is his last appearance on this list. Kuyt tends to be more of a goal poacher and a scorer of important goals rather than a scorer of spectacular ones, but this goal was special and definitely “un-Kuyt-like.” After being level at the half at 0-0, and without many scoring opportunities, Liverpool flew out of the gates with a few fabulous touches, ultimately leading to the ball falling to Kuyt from 25 yards out. With a swing of his right boot, Kuyt connected perfectly with his one-time effort and the ball sailed high towards the West Ham goal, cannoning off of the crossbar and into the goal. It was truly a lovely strike, all of which seemed more special because it wasn’t a normal goal for the player.
During his time at Liverpool, Dirk Kuyt has been praised for his work ethic, his ability to bring teammates into play, and for his ability to score when it really mattered (chiefly against Everton, as it turns out). One thing he hasn’t received enough credit for, though, is his ability in general. We really should not be that surprised that he scored a goal like this, as he is a regular member of the Dutch national squad and DID begin his career as a goalscoring machine in Holland. It is easy to forget that he was a striker before Rafa moved him out to the right flank, and that he has a great eye for goal when he is put in those positions. True, this goal wasn’t what we usually get when he is in sight of goal, but usually he puts them low and into a corner. By mixing it up, he gave himself his best goal since being at the club, one that will live long in the memory.
Why #91?
Any goal that goes in off of the crossbar has that bit of “magical fortune” about it, and that sometimes makes it harder to rank. Was he lucky? Was it brilliant? Hard to say, but this goal was probably a bit of both, and therefore I have a hard time justifying putting it much higher than 91st… but it DEFINITELY had quality and difficulty to it. Hitting a shot first time is never easy, particularly when you are not in full-stride. Had Kuyt put it to the far post, this goal would probably have been in the top 20, such is the thin line between brilliance and “pure magic.” Great goal, definitely deserving of its place on the list, but not quite in the upper-tier of Liverpool strikes of the decade.
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