SOCCER ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:LIVERPOOL STRIKER Dirk Kuyt has conceded his team require "a bit of a miracle" to pip Manchester United to the Premier League title as a consequence of Tuesday night's remarkable 4-4 draw with Arsenal.
United moved three points clear of Rafael Benitez’s team with victory over Portsmouth at Old Trafford last night, which was one of two games in hand for Alex Ferguson’s men, after Liverpool’s classic – yet costly – encounter with Arsenal at Anfield.
Kuyt has echoed Benitez’s defiant warning to United that Liverpool will fight until the final day of the season to claim the club’s first league championship since 1990 and to prevent United drawing level with their record of 18 titles.
However, the Dutch international admitted Liverpool’s task appeared formidable after dropping two points and with five matches to go.
“It is harder after last night because we knew before the game that we needed to win,” said Kuyt. “But at least we got a draw and didn’t lose and we have to keep fighting until the very end.
“We have to hope for a bit of a miracle because it has become more difficult than it already was, but in the last couple of weeks you have seen a team that has not given up and we will never give up. So let’s hope that a miracle can happen but we have to make sure we win our remaining games.”
Wenger promised Liverpool after the game that Arsenal would show the same commitment at Old Trafford in the league on May 16th as they did at Anfield. That approach, believes Kuyt, is inherent throughout the Premier League and the reason the title is not a foregone conclusion for United or Liverpool.
“I am sure that all the teams will show passion and give their best like Arsenal did because that is what happens in the Premier League,” added the striker. “Like I said, we need a miracle but stranger things have happened in football.
“It will be difficult but as long as we keep winning our own games then maybe they will struggle. They have two games in hand so they could take a six-point lead at the top so they will have to lose twice but that can happen.
“The point we took is an important one because otherwise we could have ended up seven points behind and that would have made it almost impossible.”
Kuyt is under no illusions, however, as to the improvements that have to be made in the Liverpool defence for the team to capitalise on any slips United make in the final weeks.
All four of Andrey Arshavin’s goals for Arsenal came from uncharacteristic errors by Liverpool, a fact that left their manager incandescent afterwards.
And Kuyt admitted: “We played a good game and we only made four mistakes in the 90 minutes but they cost us two points. All of their goals came from our own mistakes and this is something we have to change.”
With five matches remaining there is no more room for error and although Benitez believes that pressure may have affected the performance on Tuesday night, he stressed the players cannot allow themselves to be crippled by it in the run-in.
“Sometimes you play with a bit of anxiety and you make mistakes,” said the Spaniard. “It is something we have to manage if we want to keep going until the end of the season.
“We showed against Arsenal we are a good team with a good mentality and great character but also I think we have to improve.
“It is difficult to know where the title challenge lies because you never know what will happen in the next game.
“We know we have to keep going in every single game and see what happens at the end. United still have to play against Arsenal and Manchester City.”
Arsenal could yet do Liverpool a favour if they win at Old Trafford on May 16th, the penultimate weekend of the season.
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger certainly does not think the title race is over and has pledged his side will be totally committed when they visit Manchester on the penultimate weekend of the season. “Don’t worry at Liverpool, we will go to Manchester United and try as well to win in the championship,” said the Frenchman.
GuardianService
