Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt hails ‘unbelievable’ impact of Craig Bellamy signing

Dirk Kuyt has praised Liverpool team-mate Craig Bellamy, stating his performances are even better than in his first spell at the club.

Kuyt believes boss Kenny Dalgish snatched himself a shrewd signing with Bellamy signature, hailing the effect he has had on the team.

"Craig has been unbelievable," the 31-year-old told LFC magazine. "He came late in August and we did not pay a transfer fee.

"He has been a brilliant signing for us and looks even better now than he did the first time he came here. It's not very often you can say that about a player who plays for a club in two spells.

"Usually the first time is better but this time, with Craig in better shape, he knows exactly what he can do and he's really professional in training every day, not just helping himself but the whole of the squad."

Kuyt recently scored his 50th league goal for Liverpool, a figure he says he is very proud to have reached.

He added: "Ideally it would have happened sooner but often in life it doesn't always happen the way you want it. So I had to be patient.

"To achieve the number is great. Not many people have done that in the Premier League for this club but also not many people from my country in Holland have done it elsewhere so I take a bit of pride in that."