“We believe we can win the next couple of games, we can make a good run and you never know what might happen.”

Benitez made nine changes at the Emirates from the team that defeated United three days earlier, with many of those incoming improving their own prospects with some fine displays.

There was a further fillip with the long-awaited debut of Alberto Aquilani, who impressed during a late 13-minute cameo.

And Kuyt said: “It’s important the players who have come in against Arsenal take confidence from their performances.

“We were talking about this is in the dressing room after the United game.

“We beat United, not because of the 11 people who started, but the whole squad.

“The lads who haven’t played in the last couple of games picked it up from the United game and that helped us.

“It’s very important they have that confidence because we need the whole squad.

“There are a lot of games coming up in this season.”

With Gerrard and Jamie Carragher not included in the travelling party, Kuyt was handed the skipper’s armband for the first time in a competitive match on Wednesday.

And the Dutchman said: “I’m very proud to be the captain of Liverpool. Unfortunately we didn’t win, which was the disappointing part.

“Everyone knows Stevie and Carra are the captains in the team but they weren’t here. It was really nice to be given the captaincy.”