Kuyt: Derby bigger than ever

Dirk Kuyt believes next week's Merseyside derby will take on an even greater significance as Liverpool look to bolster their top four credentials with three 'massive' points against Everton.

The Reds moved to within one point of fourth-placed Tottenham courtesy of Saturday's 2-0 triumph over Bolton and the Dutch forward feels the confidence brought about by a six match unbeaten run in the league could be key to earning the local bragging rights.

"It's a massive game for us," said Kuyt. "It means a lot because it is a derby but we must also make sure we get three important points.

"We are getting better and better and have kept a number of clean sheets in a row now. Hopefully we can do that again next week and get another win.

"We just have to look after ourselves. If we focus on our own results then we will be up there and we will have a great chance to make the top four.

"We know we have the quality in the team and know we can finish in the top four. The last few months haven't gone the way we would have wanted them to, but that's now behind us and we must look to the future."

Rafael Benitez's men followed up the midweek stalemate at Molineux with an impressive second half showing against the Trotters, after Kuyt had opened the scoring with his 49^th goal in a red shirt.

The 29-year-old admits the hosts were somewhat fortunate to take a 38^th minute lead but reckons they did enough over the course of the contest to run out worthy winners.

"It was a bit lucky, but sometimes that's what happens and you have a bit of fortune with a goal," he said.

"We are very happy with the result. Maybe we could have scored a few more but we didn't concede and we can take positives from a 2-0 win.

"We have some big games against Everton and Arsenal coming up and we will have to be ready for them.

"The team is starting to play better. It's all to do with confidence. If you score the second goal it is easier and the whole team played better in the last 20 or 25 minutes."