Liverpool can finish in top four says Kuyt

Derby hero Dirk Kuyt celebrated his half-century of goals for Liverpool FC – and reckons Rafa Benitez's side are showing the belief they can claim a top-four finish.

The Anfield outfit moved back into the Champions League places for the first time since October when Kuyt's 55th-minute header ensured a 1-0 win in the 213th Merseyside derby.

Kuyt's strike was his 50th for the club since arriving from Feyenoord in the summer of 2006, and his fourth in his last four games.

And he said: "It's a great feeling and I'm really happy to have scored 50 goals for the club, especially in a game like this.

"But I don't think it mattered who scored, just that we got the win.

"I think we showed belief when we had 10 men and that comes from the confidence we have built up over the last few games. We had to believe that we could still win the game and we did that.

"Out of the last seven matches we have taken 17 points and have kept six clean sheets, so you can see from those results that we are playing better and our confidence is up."

The derby was the first of a triumvirate of games that will go a long way towards shaping the remainder of Liverpool's season, with Wednesday's trip to Arsenal followed by a clash at near rivals Manchester City.

"Now we have to keep going and make sure we are ready for the next game at Arsenal," added Kuyt.

"We've had a massive win and we will enjoy the victory. But after that we must focus on the next two games which are very, very important. We have to show that we really are back to our best form."

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