"The first moment I came in, against West Ham, the crowd was incredible, " recalls Dirk the Dynamo, the striker who is forever recharging the batteries of those around him, let alone the spectators, with his energy and enthusiasm. "It was my first match, but I felt like I'd played here for years. They accepted me immediately. They have a lot of respect for me and of course I have a lot of respect for them. I'm that kind of player. With all my former clubs, I had a special relationship with the crowd. I like that kind of relationship.

Everyone saw the Chelsea [Champions League] game, and it's partly because of them that we reached the final. Incredible."

This was the club he had long supported from afar. And yet, there was an awful darkness on the horizon that day. His father, also Dirk, had watched that first game, before returning to Holland to undergo surgery for lung cancer.

The emotions overflowed that day.

Understandably so. Father had watched son play from a five-year-old on the beach at Katwijk, a fishing village on Holland's North Sea coast, where he grew up. He had witnessed his progress from the local club, Quick Boys, the biggest amateur side in Holland, to his five seasons at FC Utrecht, followed by three at Feyenoord, during which he scored 20, 29 and 22 goals, and gained the first of his 29 Holland caps. And finally, he experienced paternal pride at his son's �9 million move to Liverpool last summer.

This is no city boy, from the mean straat of Rotterdam. His father, a fisherman, like many in his village, spent many days away at sea. His son could have followed him aboard the fishing boats, and was offered an apprenticeship, but turned it down because he did not want to miss out on midweek football training.

Kuyt senior won't be in Athens for Wednesday's Champions League final. "It would be too much for him, " says his son.

"He will watch the game here, at my house, and hopefully we can bring the cup home, so he he can celebrate with us."

He adds: "The worst moment was signing for Liverpool in the weeks before my dad was due to have his big operation. That was really hard. My dad loves football. He watched every game I played in Holland.

He was also a fan of the Premier League, so he's really proud I'm here and he can watch me when he's here or on the telly.

"It's been very difficult. England and Holland may not be that far apart, but when your dad is sick, the difference seems really big. When I was playing for Feyenoord, I saw him more or less every day. Today, it's different, but I'm pleased because he comes to every home game and he stays the weekend. I can see him a lot."

Kuyt was speaking at Anfield before the squad departed for a five-day warm weather camp in Spain. Presumably, it will not become quite so heated as the club's break in Portugal ahead of the game against Barcelona when Craig Bellamy allegedly swung a golf club at John Arne Riise after the Norwegian had refused to take part in a karaoke competition.

"We are a close team, and I think we are even closer after that incident, " says Kuyt.

"It's like a marriage. Sometimes you struggle a bit. But we're all really good with each other. We can feel it from the inside. I'm sure you can see it from the outside. If you see John Arne Riise and Bellamy they are fine. But I don't think there'll be a karaoke session this time. . ."

Kuyt is regarded as more the marriage guidance counsellor; a healer of wounds within the team. Indeed, he is, by every account, an impressive character. Still only 26, he and his wife, Gertrude, have established a foundation to support children in Dutch inner cities, and in Brazil, Nepal and Ghana.

But it is devotion to the team, and his vigour within it that has endeared him so readily to The Kop. It will require considerably more from the Dutchman, of course, before he enjoys the apotheosis of a Robbie Fowler. "He's one of the greatest strikers Liverpool's ever had and I have learnt a lot from him as a footballer, but also as a human being, " says Kuyt of the former England striker. "He's been really important for me. Just to play a few games with him, I have learnt a lot."

Kuyt's performance in the home leg of the semi-final against Chelsea epitomised his own qualities. He was a man possessed. It was exhausting merely to witness. "I was always that kind of person, with a lot of energy, " says Kuyt. "I just try to do what I think is best for the team. And for me, I know I'm a striker and everybody is counting my goals every week [he concluded the season with 12 league, one FA Cup, but none in the Champions League], but for me that is not the most important thing. Of course, if it is possible I want to score a lot of goals. But for me the important thing is just winning the game."

Liverpool's 2005 triumph remains vivid in his mind. Kuyt was with the Dutch team, preparing for an international when Benitez's side were undergoing their Lazarus-like recovery. "We watched the final all together in a hotel, " he says. "At half-time, we were all talking about how good Milan were. You saw their players.

They were so happy. They were all thinking they had won. Then something happened. It was one of the craziest finals I have ever seen."

And in three days' time? "A club like this should win a trophy a year, so I'll be satisfied if we win the Champions League."

He talks the talk that the supporters like to hear. In Athens, if Liverpool are blessed with his inspirational presence, you don't doubt that they can walk the walk.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL LIVERPOOL v AC MILAN Wednesday, Athens Olympic Stadium,
7.45 Live, RTE Two, ITV, 7.00