Kuyt moves on from Latics loss

Dutchman says DW showing was a one-off

Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kuyt moves on from Latics loss

Kuyt: Looking forward

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Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool's below-par defeat to Wigan on Monday was an 'off-day' as they battle to finish in the top four.

The Reds slumped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the DW Stadium as Hugo Rodallega scored the only goal of the game to dent hopes of reaching next season's UEFA Champions League.

Now Kuyt has called on his team-mates to make up for their showing at Wigan when they face Portsmouth on Monday in their next league outing.

"Before Wigan, the last 10 [Premier League] games we had seven clean sheets and many games we won," said Kuyt.

"The only defeat we had suffered in the league was at Arsenal and it was getting better and better.

Off-day

"Monday was just an off-day for every one of us. We were all very disappointed, most of all with ourselves. We have got to change that."

Meanwhile, Kuyt is optimistic Liverpool can overcome their first-leg defeat to Lille to reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Lille gained a 1-0 advantage in France, but Kuyt insists they have the quality to turn it around at Anfield next Thursday.

"If you see the quality in this team, we should really beat them with more than one goal," said the Holland international.

"Obviously 1-0 in a European game is not the best result for us, but this is what has happened.

Look forward

"We have got to look forward. We can't think how difficult it will be, we know what happened to Real Madrid (who trailed 1-0 to Lyon in the Champions League and could only draw 1-1 at home to exit this week).

"We all watched that game and we have to be focused. Hopefully it will be a good night at Anfield and I think we've got a good chance to go through.

"We are disappointed but we are capable of turning it around.

"I am glad that this round is not decided in one game. We have a chance to put it right."