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KUYT: WE FEAR NO-ONE
Paul Hassall 02 April 2008

Dirk Kuyt is adamant Liverpool’s recent heroics against Europe’s elite means they will have nothing to fear when they face Arsenal in tonight’s Champions League quarter-final first-leg.
The Dutch striker feels the Reds' pedigree in the competition will stand them in good stead at the Emirates Stadium and points to wins in both the Nou Camp and the San Siro as evidence of the threat they can pose.

"Arsenal are a good team and they play very good football, so we have to give them the respect they deserve," he said.

"But in the last couple of seasons we have beaten Barcelona at the Nou Camp and Inter Milan at the San Siro, so we don't need to fear anyone.

"We have so much experience in the Champions League and we have played so many good teams, so we should be confident about our own chances.

"We have shown that if we do our job right, we can beat anyone in this competition."

Last season Arsenal tore Liverpool to shreds in both the FA Cup and the Carling Cup before the Reds gained some revenge with a 4-1 win in the Premier League.

The two sides have only met once so far in this campaign, when they drew 1-1 at Anfield, but Kuyt feels previous results will not come into the equation over the next six days as he feels an improved Reds side will show what they are capable of.

"What happened last season is in the past," he said. "We played Arsenal earlier this season and drew 1-1, but I think we have improved since then.

"We know that we can score at the Emirates because we have scored at places like the Nou Camp and the San Siro and we will definitely be looking to score."

Kuyt insists Liverpool's marathon run of games against Manchester United, Everton and Arsenal (three times) will not take their toll on the squad and believes the players love to play in these type of matches and owe it to the fans to produce the goods.

"You don't feel tired when you play in games like the derby or in the Champions League against Arsenal," he said.

"These are the games you want to play in and we are very fortunate to be playing for Liverpool on such huge occasions and you owe it to the fans to keep on going.

"Anyway, when you win you always feel better and Sunday was a very good win for us and that will make us feel much better as we go into tonight's game.

"The other thing to bear in mind is that the players get a lot of rest before games these days. We get to sleep the day before a big game and on the day of the game itself so that helps us to recharge our batteries and by the time the game kicks off tonight we will be ready."

Liverpool head into the clash at the Emirates on the back of eight wins in nine matches and while Kuyt accepts the Gunners have an array of attacking talent he is keen for the Reds to continue their good run tonight.

"Arsenal are a good side, we know that," he said.

"They have several good players, including the likes of Fabregas, Adebayor, Van Persie and Gallas, so we know that this will be a big test.

But, apart from the Man United game which was a big disappointment, we have been in good form lately and we will be looking to take that form in- to this match.

"This is an exciting time to be a Liverpool player. In Holland, there were times when you would play two big games in a row but never five, so it is special.

"We started the week well with the win against Everton and now we want to keep it going against Arsenal.

"We will have to work really hard like we have been doing and if we do that then we have a chance.

"If you get through to the quarter finals of the Champions League then you know it is going to be a tough game because all the teams at this stage are good sides and Arsenal are no different.

"But we have to concentrate on doing our own job. We have lots of experience in this competition and we can use this to our advantage."

The match could see Kuyt come face-to-face with his compatriot Robin Van Persie, a player he feels Liverpool will have to keep a close eye on and one he rates as the best Dutch forward around.

He said: "Van Persie is a very good player. For me, he is the best Dutch player around at the moment, so we will have to be careful with him.

"He scored a good goal at the weekend so he will be feeling confident and keen to do well after being out injured for so long.

"But we cannot focus on just one player because if you concentrate only on Van Persie you can forget about Adebayor, Fabregas and the rest."

Liverpool's improved form of late has coincided with a switch to a new 4-2-3-1 formation that has seen Kuyt moved into a right sided role. It is a position he admits is a bit different but one he is more than happy to occupy in order to aid the Liverpool cause.

"It is different," he said, "but I am enjoying it because the team is playing well. That is most important.

"I have scored a couple of goals and had a couple of assists even though I am not playing in a position where you get as many chances as you do when you are playing up front.

"And, like I said, this is a special time to be a Liverpool player so I'm just happy to be involved."