Transformed Liverpool can beat anyone, says Kuyt

DIRK KUYT believes Liverpool can now beat anyone having got their revival into full swing with a stunning defeat of Chelsea.

Fernando Torres put aside his early-season travails to strike both goals as the Reds notched an unexpected but impressive 2-0 win over the Barclays Premier League leaders at Anfield on Sunday.

It was the team’s third league win in succession – their fourth in all competitions – and further lifted the gloom which settled over the club last month.

Liverpool slumped into the bottom three when they suffered back-to-back losses to Blackpool and rivals Everton in October – those games either side of an acrimonious takeover battle that ended in the High Court – but the mood has now been transformed.

Kuyt said: “You can see the quality and the strength is coming back into the team. Players are starting to get used to each other and the new players are starting to kick on.

“We were just playing better and better. If you beat Chelsea you have the chance to beat everyone. It was a great result, it was a great team effort.”

Liverpool’s victory catapulted them back up to ninth – their highest position since after the first game.

They are now just two points off fifth place and pressure on manager Roy Hodgson, after a difficult first few months in the job, has started to ease.

Kuyt said: “Everyone knows when you have a new manager, you have some new players, you might struggle in the beginning. That is what we had but we have to forget these things and move on.”

Kuyt was pleased to see Torres hit form after a difficult start to the season.

The Spaniard had struggled since a knee operation late last season and had managed just two goals this term prior to Sunday’s double.

“One and one is two – that is what we say in Holland,” said Kuyt.

“If the team plays better it will be easier for the one up front.

“To make goals sometimes you need delivery as well, and I thought the delivery was good.

“One thing with Fernando you know for sure – if you give him the chances he will score.”

For his part, Hodgson has urged his players not to take their return to form for granted as the team enters a pivotal period in the season.

Liverpool have now established a platform for themselves but the next 11 matches over the coming two months are likely to shape their season.

Liverpool travel to Wigan tomorrow night and Stoke on Saturday with the fixture list then giving them games West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Fulham, Blackpool, Wolves, Bolton and Blackburn before the home Merseyside derby on January 16.

A good run during that spell will put them in prime position for a top-four finish and Hodgson is keen for his side to maintain their momentum.

“We have to be very careful. We have to get our feet back on the ground very quickly after the Chelsea victory,” said the Liverpool manager.

“There has been a lot of bad things written, false accusations and ludicrous stories being banded around.

“We have got through that by keeping our feet on the ground and trying to ignore it as best as possible and making sure it does not affect our work.

“We now have to make sure any praise does not affect our work. We have to realise we are capable of performances like the one against Chelsea but we are also capable of performances like the one against Blackpool when we were beaten 2-1.

“We have to try to get rid of one of those performances and keep the other.’’