'I'm feeling fitter than ever'

The Dutch forward enjoyed an uninterrupted summer programme with the Reds that has left him feeling in better condition than ever before.

And having been named on the bench for Liverpool's opening game of the season last weekend, he's relishing the challenge of competing for a place in Kenny Dalglish's new-look team.

Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv: "We were all looking forward to the start of the league. We all trained really hard over the five or six weeks we had to prepare for the start, so everyone was desperate to get started.

"I'm happy we're on the way now. The draw against Sunderland wasn't what we were hoping for - we wanted three points, but that's behind us now and a really big game is waiting for us on Saturday.

"I am feeling very well. It's my first full pre-season in many years. Last year, for example, I had two weeks to prepare for the season, but this year I had a full pre-season and I have to say I am feeling fitter than ever.

"I am desperate to play and was disappointed not to start on Saturday, but the manager needs to decide who he's going to pick - and hopefully he's going to pick me for the next game."

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Despite feeling in peak condition, Kuyt is refusing to set himself any personal targets as he attempts to better a 2010-11 season that saw him plunder 15 goals in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Manchester United. 

He said: "I never set personal targets really, because I like to achieve things with the team. At the end of the day, you can play very well, score a lot of goals and get some great assists, but it's all to do with the team performance.

"If the team is doing well, your own performances will be okay as well. Hopefully we will do a lot better with the team, especially in the first half of the league."

This summer presented Dalglish with his first opportunity to preside over pre-season training in his second spell as Liverpool manager.

The Reds embarked on a highly-successful tour of Asia, as well as contesting friendlies against Hull, Galatasaray, Valerenga and Valencia to ready themselves for the start of 2011-12.

Kuyt added: "It was good. We worked for six months with Kenny and then this was his first pre-season with the team.

"It was a combination of working very hard to get the fitness levels right up to where we wanted and spending time on the way we like to play.

"I enjoyed pre-season. It was hard, we worked very hard in Asia and sometimes we played friendlies after training in the morning, but it was for something good and hopefully we will do well this season."

While Liverpool's players have been working hard on the pitch over the summer, the club have been equally as busy off the field bolstering the ranks with the acquisition of several new faces.

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Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Alexander Doni, Stewart Downing and Jose Enrique have all arrived on Merseyside, and Kuyt has been eager to welcome his new colleagues.

He said: "I think they've settled in very well. A big plus for them, and for us, was that most of them arrived in pre-season so we could train and work with them during pre-season and get to know them better. That was very good and I think they've all done very well and are happy to be here.

"It's the job of everyone (to welcome new players), whether you are experienced or not. We have to try to help each other because at the end of the day, we need each other if we want to achieve something.

"You always try to make the new lads feel welcome. I think I did and the rest of the lads did as well, so hopefully we can have a great season together."

In addition to the new signings, a clutch of youngsters continue to be involved with Dalglish's first-team squad having impressed during the second half of last season.

Kuyt has been impressed with the manner in which the likes of Jon Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Martin Kelly and co have acquitted themselves in the senior side - and is backing them to continue to go from strength to strength over the course of the new term.

"They just have to enjoy it because they've worked really hard to come into the first-team squad," he said. "They had a couple of games last season and now people are starting to expect more from them.

"They all had a tough pre-season, worked really hard. Flanagan has already played his first game this season, so that's good.

"There will be a lot of competition for them, but I am sure if they keep going the way they did last season and in pre-season, the future looks bright for them."

The blend of youth and new signings has helped elevate excitement levels on Merseyside - and not just in the stands.

"I am very excited by the new season," said Kuyt. "I think the owners and manager have done a great job with the players that have come in January and the summer.

"It's very positive, we have a great squad, but it's now up to the players to show we are also a great team and have the ability to compete with the best."