Kuyt throws down gauntlet to United
The gap between United in top spot and second-placed Liverpool could be eight points by the time the Reds face Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday with United hosting Blackburn 24 hours earlier.
But Kuyt has warned United Liverpool will pounce on any slip-up they make, and that they pose a long-term threat to United’s hopes of dominating English football for years to come.
The Dutchman said: “We have players who are just reaching their peak, Steven Gerrard just seems to get better every season and maybe he hasn’t even reached his peak yet.
“He scores loads of goals and everyone can see how important he is. It’s the same with Fernando Torres and a few others.
“We have a lot of young, talented players who have now been at the club a long time. I think this is the best team I have played with at Liverpool.”
But Liverpool expect the pressure to really be on by the time Mark Hughes’ side arrive at Anfield on Sunday, when anything but a victory could leave Liverpool trailing in Manchester United’s wake.
And Kuyt recalled the dramatic meeting with City at Eastlands earlier in the season when he scored a last-minute winner, one of a host of late comebacks which ensured Liverpool are now the only serious challengers to United for the title.
Liverpool also won in the last seconds at Portsmouth last time out, and Kuyt puts this new-found ability to turn games around in the final minutes down to a familiarity and spirit in the dressing room.
He explained: “It was a crazy game at City and a really important one. We were 2-0 down at half-time but saw a completely different Liverpool side in the second half. The comebacks have been possible because the team has been together for longer. All the players know each other better, and I also think there are a lot of players here who are getting better each year.”
With Gerrard still a doubt for the City clash, and Robbie Keane gone, Ryan Babel is likely to find himself involved on Sunday despite a season of erratic form.
But Liverpool’s other Dutchman reckons he is learning fast, and said: “With Robbie having left that has increased my chances a little more.
“I feel that I am ready for more playing time so hopefully that will come.
“If necessary, I will play as a winger, but I have made no secret of my desire to play as a striker at Liverpool.”
And he is looking to learn from Torres as he endeavours to improve.
He added: “I have to be realistic. I know Fernando is the number one striker, there is no doubt about that.
“But there are a lot of games and I want to prove that I can be a striker, too.’’
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