Why Dirk Kuyt was key to Liverpool FC's win over Man Utd

I've heard some fans complain 'but all he does is run about.'

I'd settle for 10 outfield players running about like that every week.

His work-rate, as always, was fantastic and that seemed to get everyone else going.

We beat United because we didn't let them settle.

And then when we got the ball we used it much better than they did.

The tempo was completely different to the game in midweek against Lyon.

It was what I'd call 'a proper' game of football with an outstanding atmosphere - and when Alex Ferguson comes out and says that Liverpool deserved to win you know you must have done something right.

The problem now is to maintain that level of intensity on Wednesday, and then again on Saturday - and then again in the weeks after that.

In many respects I'm glad it was Manchester United we were facing rather than, say, Birmingham or Portsmouth, because it was easy for the players and the fans to get themselves up for that.

It was Ronnie Moran who said that winning a football match was the easy part.

Learning how to win week after week after week was the tough part.

I know I picked out Dirk Kuyt as the catalyst for the tempo we set on Sunday, but in truth it was a complete team performance - and that extends off the pitch as well.

The players got the crowd going, then the crowd kept the players going when the going got tough.

But after all the celebrations have died down, after all the hangovers have healed, it's important that we get our feet back on the floor and start all over again.

We've won the battle, but the war still has a long, long way to run.

The important thing now is, we have highlighted the tactics and showed the way it can be won.

David Ngog has potential to be a Liverpool FC star

DAVID NGOG may not be everybody's cup of tea at the moment.

But there's no doubt he has something.

The most obvious quality is that he can score goals.

The goal against Stoke earlier this season was merely the last minute flourish to a game which was already won.

But the winner at Leeds in the Carling Cup was both important and very well taken, while Sunday's finish was arguably his coolest and most significant yet.

David is still rough around the edges, but the Anfield coaching staff are clearly working hard on him and he has undoubted potential.

The experience of scoring a winning goal against United will only help his development.

Why Reds should go Gunning for Carling Cup glory

SUNDAY'S win may well have taken the pressure off tomorrow night's trip to Arsenal.

But it's still a winnable trophy and tie we should be thinking seriously about winning.

I'm sure Rafa will make one or two changes - and it would be nice to finally get a glimpse of Alberto Aquilani in a first team jersey - but this is definitely a game we should be looking to win.