Kuyt: Let's make a statement
Dirk Kuyt is confident Liverpool can clinch a first win at the Emirates today - but has warned no-one should be underestimating Arsenal.
The Gunners head into the game after a week in which captain Cesc Fabregas was sold to Barcelona, whilst Alex Song and summer signing Gervinho discovered they will sit out the tussle with the Reds due to suspension.
Nonetheless, Kuyt is expecting a typically tough encounter with Arsene Wenger's side - though he's convinced Liverpool have what it takes to pick up three points away at Arsenal for the first time since 2000.
"They've got a great team and players, not just 11, so they will still be a very strong team on the pitch," said the Dutchman.
"But we've got to look at ourselves and if we can perform the way we can and are 100 per cent focused on the things we want to do, we have a great chance of getting a good result and I am confident we can do that, even if those players were involved on Saturday.
"There is a big group (of title hopefuls) at the moment and Arsenal will always be there. They've just sold one of their best players (Cesc Fabregas), but we had a particular situation when Fernando Torres left the club and we got two great players back.
"I don't like to look too much at the other opponent, but I think Arsenal will be right up there this season together with United and Chelsea.
"Manchester City and Spurs will be there, so it is up to ourselves to get good results, play well and be there, and I have got great confidence we can do that."
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The two teams played out a spectacular 1-1 draw in last season's corresponding fixture.
After Robin van Persie gave Arsenal an injury-time lead via the penalty spot, Kuyt rescued a point for the visitors with a spot-kick of his own in the 98th minute at the Emirates.
"It's a great stadium to play at, especially when you get a good result," he added. "I've scored a couple of important goals there and hopefully I can do the same on Saturday.
"There is almost no better feeling than scoring in the last minute to win a game or get a good result."
Liverpool's lunchtime trip to the Emirates is arguably the Barclays Premier League's biggest clash of the fledgling season to date.
Kuyt has no qualms about facing one of our top-of-the-table rivals so early in the campaign, and believes a win will send out a stern message about the Reds' intentions to the rest of the division.
"You have to take it (the fixture list) as it is. Last season we had them in the first game at Anfield and were unlucky not to win," he said.
"Hopefully we can get a great result and our first three points of the season. That would give everyone an enormous boost and I think we can do it. If we believe in ourselves, we have the quality and we just need to show it on Saturday.
"It would mean a lot to us to win. If we can get the three points it will send a message out to everyone in the Premier League.
"That's what we want to do - we want to win our own games and if we can, hopefully we can make the steps forward we want."