Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool’s Belgian battering has given them “the kick we needed” – and warned Sunderland to beware a backlash tomorrow.
The Anfield outfit were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw from their Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege on Wednesday night.
It was an alarming start to the new campaign for Rafael Benitez’s side, who were indebted to a sparkling performance from goalkeeper Pepe Reina that included a penalty save.
And Kuyt, one of several players under-par on the evening, admits it was a wake-up call for a Liverpool team that were unbeaten throughout pre-season.
“I think we have to look on it as the kick we needed,” he said. “We are still in the game and we will have a good chance at Anfield. We all know we have to perform better – and we will.
“The only good thing about that game for us was the 0-0 scoreline. We were all very disappointed by the performance we gave, as players and as a team. We tried to do our best and it was not good enough.
“They could certainly have had one or two goals, and Reina was definitely man of the match. He made some wonderful saves and also stopped a penalty.
“If you don’t play well, but still draw your worst games, then you can actually look on that as a good thing. We didn’t concede a goal so you also have to take the positives, and that is one.”
Liverpool have an immediate chance to atone for their poor display when they begin their Premier League title quest at Sunderland tomorrow.
And Kuyt added: “We are looking forward to Saturday even more, to show who we are and what we can do.”
One of either Mascherano or Babel will definitely return in time for the Premier League home game against Middlesbrough next weekend, with Argentina and Holland competing a quarter-final tomorrow.
The Anfield outfit were fortunate to escape with a goalless draw from their Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege on Wednesday night.
It was an alarming start to the new campaign for Rafael Benitez’s side, who were indebted to a sparkling performance from goalkeeper Pepe Reina that included a penalty save.
And Kuyt, one of several players under-par on the evening, admits it was a wake-up call for a Liverpool team that were unbeaten throughout pre-season.
“I think we have to look on it as the kick we needed,” he said. “We are still in the game and we will have a good chance at Anfield. We all know we have to perform better – and we will.
“The only good thing about that game for us was the 0-0 scoreline. We were all very disappointed by the performance we gave, as players and as a team. We tried to do our best and it was not good enough.
“They could certainly have had one or two goals, and Reina was definitely man of the match. He made some wonderful saves and also stopped a penalty.
“If you don’t play well, but still draw your worst games, then you can actually look on that as a good thing. We didn’t concede a goal so you also have to take the positives, and that is one.”
Liverpool have an immediate chance to atone for their poor display when they begin their Premier League title quest at Sunderland tomorrow.
And Kuyt added: “We are looking forward to Saturday even more, to show who we are and what we can do.”
One of either Mascherano or Babel will definitely return in time for the Premier League home game against Middlesbrough next weekend, with Argentina and Holland competing a quarter-final tomorrow.
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