Kuyt impressed with Dalglish

Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has followed team-mates Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher in publicly backing Kenny Dalglish for the permanent manager's job at Anfield.

The Reds are up to sixth in the Barclays Premier League after a run of four successive victories under Dalglish, who was appointed on a temporary deal which lasts until the end of the season when he succeeded Roy Hodgson at the helm in January.

And when asked if he agreed with his team-mates' assertions that Dalglish should be handed the reins full time, Kuyt told Sky Sports: "I think you only have to look at the results and the mood of the players, and I have to agree with that. He is a legend, not only for the supporters, but also for the players. He has helped me a lot."

Kuyt added: "We are really happy with Kenny so far. It has been really positive for us from the first day he came and he gave us a lot of belief.

"He said we were all quality players and that he was there to help us and that is really true.

"It has worked out very well with him and (new first-team coach) Steve Clarke and everything looks much better."

Liverpool took particular satisfaction from their latest win, Sunday's 1-0 triumph at Chelsea, for whom former Reds striker Fernando Torres was making his debut.

Kuyt admits the loss of Torres was a blow but he was pleased to get one over on the Spaniard at the weekend and is keeping focused on the future.

"It is very disappointing for all the players if one of the best players leaves the club, especially when it is Liverpool, which is a big club," Kuyt said. "He has gone to Chelsea, but that is football and you have to move on.

"The response from us was very good and we were very happy to beat him. Now we just have to wish him all the best and hopefully we will do better."