 LIVERPOOL match-winner Dirk Kuyt reckons his side “have what it takes” this season as the club search for their first league title in 19 years. With Rafael Benitez having been unable to mount a serious championship challenge since arriving from Valencia in 2004 and Manchester United now just one title shy of Liverpool’s all-time record of 18 wins, everyone at Anfield is determined to secure a first Premier League crown this season and eight games into the campaign the team have made their best ever start to a season since English football’s top flight was rebranded. Saturday’s 3-2 victory over Wigan Athletic at Anfield, in which Kuyt scored an 85th-minute winner, saw Liverpool come from behind to claim three points for the fourth time in eight Premier League games this season to ensure they stay joint top of the table with next Sunday’s opponents Chelsea. Benitez’s side had to equalise twice after Wigan’s Amr Zaki netted a brace before Kuyt’s second of the afternoon secured the win. Although Liverpool have been far from convincing in long periods of games so far this term, their ability to win when not playing well is much preferred by the Dutchman to the series of draws they suffered when dominating matches last season, a sequence that ultimately kept them out of the title shake-up. He said: “We showed plenty to pull it out of the fire like that. In a way, it showed how far we have come since last season. “We have improved massively, and you can be sure we would only have drawn or maybe even lost a game like this 12 months ago. We passed a test with this win. We took another step forward by pulling it round and taking the points, despite not being at our best. “We don’t want to have to dig deep like that too often, but I don’t think we will. “No-one can say we haven’t turned it on at times this season, but now we’ve shown we have what it takes when questions are asked of us.” For several months, Kuyt has been operating out of his natural position by being employed in a right- wing berth but following Fernando Torres’s absence due to a hamstring injury picked up with Spain, he was employed in an orthodox striking role against Wigan and repaid Benitez with his double strike. However, the former Feyenoord man claims he is happy to play in whichever role his manager selects him in. He said: “I didn’t feel any added pressure stepping in for Fernando up front. He was always going to be a big loss, but when the boss turned to me and asked me to fill in, I was more than pleased. People go on about my role in the team, but I can honestly say it doesn’t concern me. All I am bothered about is playing and contributing, and I feel I have been doing both this season. “It is important for the team to have Fernando back as soon as possible, and if that means a return to the right flank for me, I won’t be complaining. Wherever the manager needs me to play, I’ll be there, giving it my best. I don’t see this as a chance to stake a claim for a place up front alongside him, when he is fit. That has never crossed my mind. “I have enjoyed my time on the right and feel I have contributed with a few goals and few assists. Honestly, it would be fine ether way for me.” Meanwhile, Liverpool’s other goalscorer Albert Riera, who netted for the first time since his move from Espanyol this summer, agreed that the team’s fighting spirit could be crucial for their fortunes this season. He said: “The great thing about wins like this, and the one against Man City, is it demonstrates how good we are at reacting to adversity. That is so important and is the message that comes across loud and clear. “We would love to win more comfortably and be in charge from the first minute, but it doesn’t always go like that. Other teams lift their game against us, because we are up at the top, and we have to respond. “We just don’t know when we are beaten, and that is a quality that was apparent to me the moment I arrived here. I was struck immediately by the mentality of the players. It really is unbelievable. You get confidence from winning games, but there is also a resilience about them that comes into its own on days like this.” | 
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