Dirk Kuyt 'desperate' to end Liverpool trophy drought with League Cup win

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

Dirk Kuyt hopes Liverpool can continue their smooth progression in the League Cup by beating Stoke City and admits he is "desperate" to end the club's trophy drought.

“In all my time as a Liverpool player I have been close to winning trophies," he told the club’s official website.

Kuyt has come close a few times to ending his silverware drought on Merseyside, and now setting his sights on a trip to Wembley as he tries to avoid being the longest serving Liverpool player in 40 years never to have won a trophy.

The Dutchman joined from Feyenoord in 2006, soon after the club won the FA Cup – the club's last trophy.

"There was the Champions League final, the semifinal and coming second in the Premier League. We have been close but it is now time to get some silverware," said Kuyt. "Not being involved in Europe is a major blow to the club so the Carling Cup is a great trophy to win because we're all desperate to win some silverware."

He added, "Last season was such a disappointment, this one is all about improvement and we can achieve that by doing well in the Carling Cup."

Liverpool takes on Stoke and looking to avenge its defeat in the league earlier this season, where it lost despite being the better team for large parts of the match.

The Potters have a reputation for being a physical side, something which Kuyt says he and his team are wary of, although he believes they are well equipped to deal with the threat that they pose.

"It is one of the most difficult games in the league," he explained. "They are very strong, but we can be a strong, physical team as well.

"If we create as many chances as we have been doing we will be happy, but the only thing that has to change is the number of goals we score. That means we have to be more ruthless.

"We have a lot of respect for them, but we must look at ourselves. We have a great team and we will be prepared. If we play to our level we know we can do well there.