Liverpool FC striker Dirk Kuyt is looking to put an end to his trophy drought as he begins to reach five long years at Anfield without a trophy.

The forward first joined the club in 2006, a year after the famous Champions League victory in Istanbul against AC Milan but since then the Dutchman has only been involved in near misses including second in the Premiership behind Manchester United and losing out in a carbon copy of the 2005 Champions League final where the Reds this time lost to AC Milan.

Talking to the official Liverpool FC website, the striker said:

“In all my time as a Liverpool player I have been close to winning trophies, there was the Champions League final, the semi-final (in 2008) and coming second in the Premier League. We have been close but it is now time to get some silverware.”

However Kuyt feels the Carling Cup represents a great opportunity for the club, particularly as they are rested most midweeks due their non-involvement in Europe.

“Not being involved in Europe is a major blow to the club so the Carling Cup is a great trophy to win because we’re all desperate to win some silverware. Last season was such a disappointment, this one is all about improvement and we can achieve that by doing well in the Carling Cup.”

Liverpool will face Stoke City in the Carling Cup where they hope to reach the quarter finals but Kuyt admits Stoke will as always be one of the most difficult places to play.

“It is one of the most difficult games in the league, they are very strong, but we can be a strong, physical team as well. We’re not the only team that struggles there. It is because they are such a strong, physical team. There are lots of long balls and second balls, and good throw-ins from which they score a lot of goals. It makes it very difficult, but we can’t wait to play the next game.”

The Liverpool striker added:

“We have a lot of respect for them, but we must look at ourselves. We have a great team and we will be prepared. If we play to our level we know we can do well there.”