Football: Kuyt's out to settle a score; Striker wants to end United hurt and get better of friend.

Byline: BY IAN DOYLE Chief Football Correspondent

DIRK KUYT is desperate to end Liverpool's five years of Premiership hurt at home to Manchester United this weekend.

The league leaders visit Rafael Benitez's side on Saturday boasting an impressive recent league record at their North West neighbours.

Although United were knocked out of the FA Cup at Anfield last season, Sir Alex Ferguson's men are unbeaten at the venue in the Premiership since they went down 3-1 in November 2001.

Kuyt is determined to place a significant spoke in the United juggernaut on Saturday by finding a way past Holland international team-mate Edwin van der Sar in the United goal.

And the 26-year-old will be on the phone to his fellow countryman this week to point out that with Chelsea and Barcelona having already been beaten in recent weeks, United are next on Liverpool's hit-list.

"I'll call Edwin this week," he said. "I don't know if there'll be any joking, we'll see what happens this week, but it's always nice to play against players you know from HoUand.

"I want to score against him, though, I won't be looking to do him any favours. He's a legend in Holland and if you can score against him, you can score against anyone in the world.

"I want to score and beat Manchester United. We've shown a few good results against the top teams, against Chelsea at home and Barcelona away, so now it's time to beat United."

Kuyt insists there is no fear Liverpool will be distracted from Saturday's clash by the impending second leg of their Champions League clash with Barcelona at Anfield next Tuesday.

"Facing Manchester United is one of the most important games you can play in a season, so no-one can be thinking about Barcelona until after this match," he said.

"It would be a great result if we could do it, you just need the same approach to the game as we have had in the last week."

Liverpool had closed up to within 11 points of United a month ago, but recent setbacks against Newcastle United and Everton have seen the Old Trafford side pull clear again and end any lingering hopes of a title challenge from Anfield.

"You can talk about the gap between us and them, but the only thing you have to do is show them on the field what you can do," added Kuyt.

"We did well against the likes of Ronaldinho and Messi in Europe, so I don't see why we can't do the same against players likes Ronaldo and Rooney."

Liverpool slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat in the Old Trafford meeting between the sides in October, and Kuyt said: "I think we owe a performance after Old Trafford.

"That was a disappointing time and we definitely want a better result at Anfield this time."

Meanwhile, Liverpool youngster AdamHammill has been named in the England under-19 squad to face Turkey on March 21 at Doncaster Rovers' Keepmoat Stadium.

Liverpool reserves entertain Everton in tonight's mini-derby at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground, kick-off 7pm.

Chance to be Liverpool's mascot for Barcelona match

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CAPTION(S):

Dirk Kuyt (right), congratulating Steven Gerrard on his goal against Sheffield United, has Manchester United in his sights; Edwin van der Sar