It’s just start for title tilt – Liverpool FC star Dirk Kuyt

Dec 30 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Liverpool FC's Dirk Kuyt _200

DIRK KUYT admits the hard work is only just beginning for Liverpool as they aim to end their lengthy championship drought.

The Anfield outfit go into the new year three points clear at the top of the Premier League after their resounding 5-1 triumph at Newcastle United on Sunday.

It completed an excellent Christmas period for Rafael Benitez’s side, whose 45 points from their first 20 games is their best tally at this stage of the season in 18 years.

Liverpool won the last of their 18 league titles in 1990, and their failure to add to that since has been a source of intense frustration.

But despite their encouraging position, striker Kuyt has warned the demands on the team will become greater during the second half of the campaign.

“It’s great to be top at the end of the year,” said the Dutchman. “But it’s just the beginning for us. We need to step up every week and in every game and try to perform as well as that in the next match.

“I enjoyed playing up front again at Newcastle. Unfortunately I couldn’t get my goal but I’d prefer to play in a team like this and win 5-1, than score every week somewhere else.

“I really enjoyed the game and it caps a good Christmas period in which we have picked up six very important points and scored eight goals along the way.”

Liverpool’s triumph at Newcastle was their biggest triumph on their Premier League travels since the 5-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day 2004.

And such was the visitors’ dominance, Kuyt admits Liverpool were disappointed not to have won by an even greater margin.

“It was a great result and we could have scored even more,” he said.