Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson reiterates stance on Kuyt
Roy Hodgson said after Liverpool's win over Trabzonspor that he sees Dirk Kuyt as a key member of the team and has no intention of selling him.[LNB] On Wednesday Kuyt's agent claimed he wanted to join former Reds boss Rafael Benitez at Inter Milan.[LNB]However, the 30-year-old showed no sign of that on Thursday night, scoring the second goal in the Reds' 2-1 Europa League play-off second leg victory over Trabzonspor.[LNB]After the match he said: "As far as I know my future is at Liverpool. I've had a great time so far and I hope my future will be great here.[LNB]"All I want is to win trophies with Liverpool."[LNB]It was something Hodgson welcomed but did not think was necessary.[LNB]"Dirk Kuyt is not for sale so excuse me for not understanding the speculation of being happy now he has said he is staying because I never doubted he was staying," said the Reds boss.[LNB]"Dirk is an important part of Liverpool, I've made it clear we don't welcome any offers for him and he's not for sale.[LNB]"As far as I'm concerned he is someone I believe in, someone I count on, and it is important we improve the team around the Steven Gerrards, Fernando Torres's, Jose Reinas and the Kuyts and not sell them and start all over again."[LNB]Hodgson said there had been no movement on Javier Mascherano's situation, who is a target for Barcelona, and dismissed suggestions Inter Milan had entered the bidding with a faxed offer to the club.[LNB]"I saw a fax the other day but I think it was sent tongue-in-cheek to be honest," he revealed.[LNB]"The offer was so unbelievably far from a valuation it seemed to me the sporting director was putting the fax in to maybe satisfy people at the club.[LNB]"We didn't even bother to answer it, that is how ridiculously far from a serious offer it was."[LNB]Hodgson admitted his side were "looking down the barrel" against Trabzonspor before a late comeback secured their passage.[LNB]Trailing to Teofilo Gutierrez's fourth-minute strike, the Reds secured a 3-1 aggregate scoreline and passage into the group stages thanks to a late Remzi Kacar own goal and a tap-in from Kuyt.[LNB]It was Liverpool's first victory over Turkish opposition in Turkey, having famously become European champions for the fifth time in Istanbul in 2005.[LNB]"We were looking down the barrel here coming to Trabzon," said the 62-year-old.[LNB]"They were fresh off a win over Fenerbahce here, they are last season's champions, they don't lose at home and we beat them at home.[LNB]"To get a result here was something quite important and will stand us in good stead for plenty of other matches.[LNB]"We had the toughest possible start but I thought we got over it and throughout the game played well.[LNB]"Quite frankly we should have had the game sewn up long before we did.[LNB]"But I was relieved."[LNB]Trabzonspor coach Senol Gunes was disappointed his side could not pull off a shock.[LNB]"I am really upset but I think we had a positive game and our players tried their best.[LNB]"Until the last 10 minutes we tried to control the midfield but we were really tired in the last few minutes.[LNB]"But I am grateful to our players and supporters."
