Dirk Kuyt insists Liverpool have the belief they can end their 20-year wait for the league title.
The Anfield outfit have not been crowned champions since 1990 and again finished second best to Manchester United last term despite leading the way for long periods.
Rafa Benitez's men were victorious home and away against the eventual Premier League winners, while also taking six points from their two meetings with third-placed Chelsea.
But seven draws on home turf contributed heavily to the Reds finishing four points off the pace in second place as Sir Alex Ferguson's side equalled their record haul of 18 league titles.
Dutch international Kuyt feels their results against the other top teams will give them added confidence ahead of the new campaign, which begins with a trip to Tottenham, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, on Sunday.
He told LFC magazine: "This team can be proud of itself and the way we played last season. We can hold our heads high.
"Last season we beat the biggest teams, Manchester United and Chelsea, twice each in the league.
"We can say that there were too many draws in the home games, but you have to learn from it because we are a young team.
"We have a sense now, a really strong belief, that we can go on and achieve what we want because the quality is there and the progress is there."
Kuyt joined the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun in penning an extension to his Anfield contract over the summer.
And he insists the commitment of so many key players, coupled with the competition for places in Benitez's squad, will aid their title bid.
He added: "The team is getting more experience, and importantly, the players are now in it for the long term.
"Important players have agreed new contracts and they all believe they are part of something big. The belief is there.
"Liverpool is a famous club, one of the biggest in the world, and to be part of it with such a great history is something you want to be around as long as possible.
"Every year I am here I am proud. Every year you have to fight for your place and every year there are better and better players coming here to take your place, so I am proud to still be here and to have a new contract.
"Throughout my career I have always had another dream and have achieved it. I will not stop dreaming until we get what we want with Liverpool, and that is the title."
The Anfield outfit have not been crowned champions since 1990 and again finished second best to Manchester United last term despite leading the way for long periods.
Rafa Benitez's men were victorious home and away against the eventual Premier League winners, while also taking six points from their two meetings with third-placed Chelsea.
But seven draws on home turf contributed heavily to the Reds finishing four points off the pace in second place as Sir Alex Ferguson's side equalled their record haul of 18 league titles.
Dutch international Kuyt feels their results against the other top teams will give them added confidence ahead of the new campaign, which begins with a trip to Tottenham, live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1, on Sunday.
He told LFC magazine: "This team can be proud of itself and the way we played last season. We can hold our heads high.
"Last season we beat the biggest teams, Manchester United and Chelsea, twice each in the league.
"We can say that there were too many draws in the home games, but you have to learn from it because we are a young team.
"We have a sense now, a really strong belief, that we can go on and achieve what we want because the quality is there and the progress is there."
Kuyt joined the likes of Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Daniel Agger and Yossi Benayoun in penning an extension to his Anfield contract over the summer.
And he insists the commitment of so many key players, coupled with the competition for places in Benitez's squad, will aid their title bid.
He added: "The team is getting more experience, and importantly, the players are now in it for the long term.
"Important players have agreed new contracts and they all believe they are part of something big. The belief is there.
"Liverpool is a famous club, one of the biggest in the world, and to be part of it with such a great history is something you want to be around as long as possible.
"Every year I am here I am proud. Every year you have to fight for your place and every year there are better and better players coming here to take your place, so I am proud to still be here and to have a new contract.
"Throughout my career I have always had another dream and have achieved it. I will not stop dreaming until we get what we want with Liverpool, and that is the title."
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