It’s time to fly Kuyt
Maxi and Aurelio also face the axe in Reds’ rebuilding plans
LONDON: Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez are likely to be the highprofile casualties of Liverpool’s summer rebuilding.
The Reds plan vast changes after a season which – even though it could end in two Cups – has been a huge disappointment on the Premier League front.
And that will see the popular Kuyt, 31, end six years at Anfield, even though he has 12 months left on his contract.
The Dutch forward has struggled to come to terms with no longer being a regular first-team starter this season.
Italian duo Roma and Fiorentina are on red alert, while Turkish outfit Galatasaray are another team monitoring him.
Former club Feyenoord would also love to take him back if they are not priced out.
Argy ace Maxi is also being told he can leave, as Kop boss Kenny Dalglish looks to bring in younger talent.
Maxi, 31, also has 12 months left on his contract but has made just 15 appearances this season.
Left-back Fabio Aurelio, 32, is the third senior player who will be let go.
Liverpool have already lined up Feyenoord midfielder Tonny de Vilhena, 17, and are battling for highly-rated 16-year-old Crewe kid Dan Smith. Meanwhile manager Kenny Dalglish insists he hasn’t been put under any increased by the club’s American owners despite the worrying slump.
The Reds have lost six of their last seven league matches in a run which has brought just two wins since the turn of the year.
Reports earlier this week suggested Dalglish would be asked to file a detailed report to FSG on his assessment of the season but the Scot said there was nothing out of the ordinary in that.
And he added that was also the case in regards to their regular contact with the America-based owners.
“I’ve got to file a report – even when you are at school you get a report – but we don’t tell everyone,” said the manager.
“Nothing has changed but we take what measures we can to keep them updated on their football club. “There is communication every week after every game so nothing has changed.
“The people who own the football club talk to us regularly and the conversations we’ve had are on the same basis as what we’ve had with them before.”