"Kuyt always works, always makes great effort and shows the right level of commitment," said Benitez.
"He creates space for others and the partnership with Peter Crouch is working well.
"We have won four at home now but we know this form must be translated into our away form.
"Since the defeat at Manchester United we know we have done better and scored goals.
"Now we are away to Birmingham in the Carling Cup and then Arsenal in the league and we know we must improve on our away form."
On Reading he said
"They are organised and work hard and I think they are good enough to stay up.
"But we expected five defenders and five across midfield and it was difficult to find space.
"When we got the second they had to come out and that left us with more chances."