PREVIEW: Kuyt calls for Liverpool to keep fighting

By Jonathan Wilson Apr 23, 2009, 9:01 GMT

London - Liverpool may trail Manchester United by three points having played a game more, but forward Dirk Kuyt still hasn't given up hope of the Premier League title.

The Netherlands international called on his team-mates to keep believing as they head into Saturday's game at Hull City.

'We have to keep fighting until the very end,' Kuyt said after Tuesday's 4-4 draw against Arsenal.

'But you have seen a team that has not given up and we will never give up so let's hope that a miracle can happen. It will be difficult but as long as we keep winning our own games then maybe they (United) will struggle.'

Liverpool will be without captain Steven Gerrard, who has a groin injury.

United are at home to Tottenham Hotspur, who are just a point off seventh place and qualification for the Europa League, as the Uefa Cup will be called after its remodelling next season.

Hull, meanwhile, are desperate for the points themselves, having slipped to fifth bottom with just one win in 17 games.

'People have already written us off against Liverpool, but there are still five games to go,' said manager Phil Brown.

'We are not in the bottom three and if that continues we'll be fine.'

Bottom side West Bromwich Albion, who are nine points adrift, are at home to Sunderland, who are four points clear of the relegation zone after last week's win over Hull.

Third-bottom Middlesbrough travel to Arsenal on Sunday and Blackburn Rovers, fourth from bottom, are home to Wigan Athletic, but the big game at the bottom is Portsmouth's trip to Newcastle United.

Portsmouth pulled six points clear of the relegation zone with Saturday's victory over Bolton. Second-bottom Newcastle are four points from safety, having taken just one point from Alan Shearer's three games as manager so far.

Midfielder Joey Barton and full-back Jose Enrique could return from injury, but defender Steven Taylor is out with an ankle problem.

Assistant manager Iain Dowie confirmed that centre-forward Michael Owen will play, despite a goal drought stretching back to January 10.

'Michael has worked his socks off in all three games we have played. His work-rate is fantastic and he has covered so much ground. He's doing all the things that are right and one thing is certain - if chances come his way, he scores,' said Dowie.

'We know that Michael has quality in abundance. In training this week and last week, he has come up with finishes that other strikers simply can't do.'