Kuyt: Benfica perfect preparation for Fulham

Dirk Kuyt believes Liverpool's demolition of Benfica was the perfect preparation for tomorrow's Anfield showdown with Fulham.

The Reds will put their push for Europa League glory on the backburner as they focus on securing Champions League qualification.

The Dutch frontman knows to have any hope of clinching fourth place they must win their remaining five league games and he is looking for a repeat display against the Cottagers.

"It was a great team performance against Benfica and it has given everyone a big boost," he said.

"We've produced some good performances in a row at home now and confidence is high.

"You can see that if we play as a team and we work as a team, we are a very tough side to beat.

"We have to keep playing like that. We need to win every game now to hopefully be fourth. It's not in our hands but all we can do is win our games."

Thursday night's 4-1 victory over Benfica was Liverpool's ninth successive home win in all competitions and booked a semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid.

Kuyt broke the deadlock with his 11th goal of the season and was one of the Reds' standout performers.

However, he was full of praise for Fernando Torres, who became the first player in the club's history to net four successive doubles at Anfield.

Tomorrow will be Torres' 60th home appearance for the Reds and he needs just one more goal to bring up his half century on the ground.

"For the first goal it was a great corner from Stevie (Gerrard) and I managed to get my head on the end of it," Kuyt added.

"There was a bit of confusion with the linesman as he thought a Liverpool player had touched the corner before I headed it and that's why he flagged for offside.

"But that wasn't the case and it was clearly a goal. It was a misunderstanding but I think it was strong of the referee to reconsider the situation.

"It was a really important goal for us as Benfica are a really good team and in the first 20 minutes they played really well. But we kept focused and that goal was very welcome. After that we played almost the perfect game.

"Almost every goal was of the highest quality. Fernando's first goal was absolutely superb and for me one of the best goals of the season. We had a corner against us which ended with a great counter attack.

"I was able to cross the ball for Fernando to score as he does always. I was happy to play a part in the goal and it gave me almost the same feeling as if I'd scored the goal myself.

"When they scored we knew they would have to push hard so there would be a lot of space for us to try and take advantage of. When you've got Fernando in your side you don't worry because you know he will always do something special."

Tomorrow's game could be a dress rehearsal for next month's Europa League final in Hamburg following the Cottagers' impressive victory over Wolfsburg on Thursday night.

Boss Roy Hodgson is set to make several changes as striker Bobby Zamora is doubtful with an Achilles injury and Simon Davies has a rib problem.

Mid-table Fulham have won just once away in the league all season and that was on the opening day of the season at Portsmouth.

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