Source: Daily_Mail
Liverpool's dismal defeat at Wigan a 'one-off', insists Dirk Kuyt
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt has written off Monday's Barclays Premier League horror show at Wigan as a one-off. [LNB]The Reds' season sank to a new low on Monday after an abject 45 minutes at the DW Stadium when it seemed the ability to pass the ball to each other had deserted even the most gifted players in the side. [LNB]That defeat was followed up by another loss against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday - though that was not entirely unexpected given the French side's formidable home record and boss Rafa Benitez declared himself happy with the improvement in performance after the game. [LNB] Slump: Liverpool suffered an embarrassing loss at Wigan last Monday[LNB]Now Kuyt has called on his team-mates to make up for their showing at Wigan when they face Portsmouth on Monday in their next league outing. [LNB]'Before Wigan, the last 10 [Premier League] games we had seven clean sheets and many games we won,' he said. 'The only defeat we had suffered in the league was at Arsenal and it was getting better and better. [LNB]'Monday was just an off-day for every one of us. We were all very disappointed, most of all with ourselves. We have got to change that.'[LNB] What will have to change are Liverpool's fortunes on a Monday night, when they have a poor record, for Pompey's trip to Anfield. It is the beginning of a hugely significant seven days in the Reds' season. [LNB] Living on a prayer: The Reds' Champions League hopes now hang in the balance[LNB]After Portsmouth, the Barclays Premier League's bottom club whose troubles put Liverpool's stuttering campaign in perspective, they face a must-win Europa League second leg against Lille before travelling to Old Trafford on Sunday. [LNB]With fourth place in the league looking less achievable by the week, Europe may well provide Liverpool's only measure of success. And Kuyt is confident they can overturn a 1-0 deficit at home to the French side. [LNB]No better: Rafa Benitez watches Liverpool's 1-0 Europa League loss to Lille in midweek[LNB]'If you see the quality in this team, we should really beat them with more than one goal," said the Holland international. [LNB]'Obviously 1-0 in a European game is not the best result for us but this is what has happened. [LNB]'We have got to look forward. We can't think how difficult it will be - we know what happened to Real Madrid (who trailed 1-0 to Lyon in the Champions League and could only draw 1-1 at home to exit this week). [LNB]'We all watched that game and we have to be focused. Hopefully it will be a good night at Anfield and I think we've got a good chance to go through. [LNB]'We are disappointed but we are capable of turning it around. I am glad that this round is not decided in one game. We have a chance to put it right.'[LNB] United winger Ryan Giggs back 'to destroy Liverpool's title record' Liverpool suffer another defeat! Now co-owner Tom Hicks loses billionaire status Lille 1 Liverpool 0: It goes from bad to worse for Rafa Benitez as Eden Hazard makes mincemeat of Reds in Europa League LIVERPOOL FC
