Dirk Kuyt hails Liverpool's statement of league-winning intent

And Kuyt said: "We try to make a statement every week. Every three games we have a big game. We had Everton and PSV last week, and our target is just to win every game and try to be there by the end of the season. But it was vital to keep pace with Chelsea before the international. We can leave with a good feeling.

"We've already had one international break and come back in our first game after it and beaten Manchester United, so I wouldn't say it comes at a bad time.

"Anyway, we don't need any excuses. We'll just keep on going and see how we do against Wigan in our next game."

First-half goals from Stephen Ireland and Javier Garrido had given Liverpool a mountain to climb in the second half.

But, for the third time in seven league games this season, Benitez's men fought back from going behind to secure the three points with Fernando Torres scoring twice before Kuyt's late decider.

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"We had a feeling at half-time that we could get back in the game if we scored a goal," added the Dutch striker. "We got that and were back in the game and I think we deserved to win.

"All of the players worked really hard, even the players who came on as substitute did their bit. It shows what a good squad of players we have here."

For Torres, it was a second successive brace following his double strike at Everton the previous weekend. And Kuyt said: "Fernando had a difficult time in the first half but that was the same for all of us. He just needed a little chance to score and it's great for a team if you have someone like that up front. He always seems to score when he gets his chances."

Meanwhile, City manager Mark Hughes was left to rue his team's inability to counter Liverpool's second-half revival.

"I thought we were excellent in the first half and took the game to a very good Liverpool side who are a big, strong, adept team playing with a lot of confidence," he said.

"I've seen Liverpool many times this year and I think we caused them as many problems as anyone.

"The disappointing thing is we had spoken about the likely response from Liverpool at half-time and we needed to be ready for it. But we let them back into the game.

"Following the sending off, we were just trying to get something from the game, but then they got the third with a few lucky breaks. But that happens. And I don't think our lads realised we were level in terms of numbers at that point"

That red card came when referee Peter Walton dismissed right-back Pablo Zabaleta for a two-footed lunge on Xabi Alonso midway through the second half.

And Hughes added: "Usually I look for a response from the opposition and their reaction, I didn't see one.

"I think Liverpool's players might say he probably made a genuine attempt to get the ball, but having seen the replay you can see why the referee has given it."