Dirk Kuyt: lucky Liverpool must play better to have a chance of Champions League glory

Dirk Kuyt says Liverpool can forget about making next year's final in Rome if they keep relying on luck in the Champions League.

Liverpool needed Kuyt's extra-time winner to progress against Standard Liege at Anfield and the Dutch international claims they must quickly improve or risk an early exit.

"Maybe we have had a lot of luck so far," said the forward. "But one day that luck will run out and then we will have to perform really well to win.

"Of course if we play like that in the group stages we won't progress. We all know what happened last year in the group stages and it was very difficult for us.

"We're good in defence and we always have the quality and belief that we can score in every game.

"And that's the important thing. We can play better and things will come right. But we must change things and quickly."

Meanwhile, Steven Gerrard definitely misses Sunday's grudge match with Aston Villa at Villa Park and could be sidelined for a fortnight, although Javier Mascherano and Lucas are both available.

And midfielder Albert Riera could make his Liverpool debut - but only if his £8million move from Espanyol is completed in time.

For transfer stories and rumours throughout the day, check out our Football Spy blog

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