World NewsKuyt Confident Reds Can Last the Course |
Dirk Kuyt has warned Liverpool's title rivals that the Anfield team will get "better and better" as the race for Barclays Premier League top spot hots up in the second half of the season.
The Holland forward was rested at the weekend for the FA Cup third-round win at Preston, but is certain to be recalled when the league leaders go to struggling Stoke on Saturday evening.That trip gives Liverpool the chance to gain some revenge for one of their poorest performances of an improved season, with Stoke managing a 0-0 draw at Anfield back in September with an ultra-defensive display.
Liverpool are on an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, and will not want to slip up at the Britannia Stadium in the same way that Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham have done during this campaign.
Kuyt said: "The important thing for us this season is that we have had a better start than in previous seasons.
"We've had some new players in the squad who have made us better but the other players have all been together for a few years now and because of that we are only going to get better and better."
Kuyt underlined how much the players want to erase the memory of the dropped points against Stoke earlier in the season.
He told www.liverpoolfc.tv: "That was a really frustrating afternoon for us. Sometimes you cannot explain football. We had so many chances to kill the game but just could not do it.
"I do not think their crowd will let them be as defensive this weekend as they were at Anfield and so maybe there will be more space for us to play in.
"They have done well at home though so we know it will be a difficult game. They are a strong team who can cause problems from long throws, but we are Liverpool and if we focus 100% on the game then we should win."
He said: "It is great to be top of the league. We have had a good first half of the season but there is still another really important half to play.
"At the moment it is not necessary to talk about the league title. You can talk as much as you want but if you are not at the top at the end then it does not matter. It is better just to keep focused and concentrated on your next game."
There is the prospect, too, that Xabi Alonso will be fit to be involved at Stoke.
The midfielder had seven stitches in a damaged foot after the win at Preston, but although still swollen, there is no further damage.
The Spaniard has been in training this week using special footwear, and he has an outside chance of being fit for the match, although a more realistic target is the league derby with Everton on January 19.
Copyright (c) 2009 Press Association
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