Carling Cup / Hannah Duncan / 26 October 2011 /

Which unwanted distinction applies to Dirk Kuyt as a Liverpool player? Read on to find out, as well as why Kenny Dalglish's side can go all the way in the Carling Cup this year.

Liverpool could be set to boast a new record-breaker among their ranks in the next six months, but it's not an accolade either club or player will want to add to their CVs.
Dirk Kuyt, scorer of 67 goals for the Reds in 250 appearances, is set to surpass a record set by the late, great, Anfield legend Emlyn Hughes.The honour? Having played the highest number of senior matches at Liverpool without winning a single trophy. Not even the 'Dodgiest Hair-Do' award, which is surely in the possession of Andy Carroll.

The Reds have had some near misses since Kuyt joined from Feyenoord in 2006 - losing the 2007 Champions League final to AC Milan, exiting in dramatic fashion at the semi-final stage the following season to Chelsea and finishing as league runners-up in 2009.

But if history is to repeat itself, and it pains me to suggest it will, it could be a rosy future for Dirk Kuyt and Liverpool. Although Emlyn Hughes didn't win a trophy in his first six years at Anfield, the remainder of his stay at the club was awash with silverware, picking up four Division One titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and in 1977 becoming the first Liverpool captain to lift the European Cup. And just for good measure, they won it again the following year.

With the financial bulldozer that is Manchester City, not forgetting either Chelsea or City's nearest and dearest, it seems unlikely that Kenny Dalglish's side will get a look in for the Premier League title race this season and at odds of [54.0], Betfair punters wouldn't disagree.

As a result, Liverpool are set to take both the Carling Cup and FA Cup seriously this campaign, with success in either competition offering them not only long-awaited silverware but also a likely route back into Europe.

Having already seen off Championship newcomers Brighton in the last round of the Carling Cup, the Reds travel to Stoke City tonight and are favourites at [2.22] to progress in 90 minutes. A lack of distractions from the continent will probably work in their favour, unlike their opponents, who have already demonstrated they struggle juggling European and domestic football.

But it's their odds to be the overall winners of the competition which may be of most interest to punters. Kenny Dalglish's side are [7.8] to go all the way and at that price could well be worth a bet, as they sit behind the two Manchester sides and are level with Chelsea, who all have plenty of other distractions, as favourites.

With seven titles to their name, Liverpool have won the League Cup more than any other club, with two of those victories coming in the last decade, as well as picking up runners-up medals in 2005. We should also point out that traditionally they have not shunned the competition in the same manner as some of the other 'top clubs'.
In the last round against Brighton, while blooding youngsters such as Jack Robinson and Sebastian Coates, Dalglish still fielded a strong and experienced team including such names as Pepe Reina, Jamie Carragher, Maxi Rodriguez, Luis Suarez, Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt himself. The Dutchman is [3.6] to get on the scoresheet tonight by the way and make it 68 goals for Liverpool.

So, are Liverpool in it to win it? I wouldn't bet against it.

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