Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt has slammed the attitude of Italy's players for their stalemate with Holland on Saturday. Kuyt was unhappy with Italy's tactics as Robin van Persie suffered a serious ankle injury following a challenge by Giorgio Chiellini.

Arsenal striker Van Persie has absolved Chiellini of any blame, but Liverpool forward Kuyt was left incensed by Italy's rough approach to the game.

Kuyt felt their approach showed a lack of respect towards his international team-mates.

"I was very disappointed," Kuyt told Sky Sports News.

"We played a friendly against a big country - Italy - and if you see the way they kicked us it's very sad, very sad for the Dutch team and also very sad for Robin because he was in great form.

"I think it was a bad tackle [Chiellini on van Persie] sometimes you think about this when you play a friendly for your country there should be more respect for each other and hopefully it won't happen in the future."