Kuyt warning for Black Cats

Dutchman demands domestic improvement

Last updated: 15th August 2008

Dirk Kuyt Liverpool FC Lucerne Pre Season Friendly

Kuyt: Sunderland beware

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Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has warned Sunderland to beware a backlash in the Premier League on Saturday.

Kuyt and his team-mates have come in for criticism following Wednesday's lacklustre performance in the 0-0 UEFA Champions League third qualifying round draw with Belgian champions Standard Liege.

The Reds were forced to withstand a first leg onslaught at Stade Maurice Dufrasne and rarely threatened their hosts and now face a knock-out return meeting at Anfield on 27th August.

Liverpool have been tipped to challenge for the league title this year, but their European shortcomings have raised concerns before the domestic top-flight season has started.

Optimistic

Kuyt, though, remains optimistic, saying: "We really struggled (against Standard) and need a vast improvement.

"We all know we didn't play well, but now we're looking forward to Saturday even more, to show who we are and what we can do.

"It wasn't our best performance, but I can tell you that we will be ready for Saturday.

"We tried to do our best and it was not good enough.

"Sometimes things like this can just happen in football. We have the quality in our team, we just need to step-up now and look forward to Sunderland."