Martin Skrtel, the Liverpool defender, believes that he is on course to return from injury in time for the busy Christmas schedule. Skrtel has been out of action since the beginning of last month, when he damaged the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Liverpool's 3-2 victory away to Manchester City.

Although a date for his comeback has yet to be specified, Skrtel expects to be available during the festive period, with the Slovakia centre back eager to be fit for Liverpool's visit to Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League on December 21.

“I don't know exactly the date [I'll be back], but the predictions were for before Christmas and I am hoping it is as soon as possible,” he said. “It has been a long time. I can't wait to start kicking a ball again and resume full training. The injury is much better. It has been six weeks since the injury and I have stopped using crutches, but obviously I have work to do in order to get the ligament back to what it was before.”

Skrtel expects, however, that he will have a job on his hands trying to force his way back into the team, with Daniel Agger and Sami Hyypia impressing in his absence. “Daniel and Sami are excellent players and they are playing well,” Skrtel said. “It will be difficult to get back into the team, but I am working hard and will fight for my place back.”

With Fulham to visit Anfield on Saturday before further league games against West Ham United, Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, Liverpool will be expected to take maximum points from their next four matches and maintain their impressive start to the season. But Dirk Kuyt believes that Liverpool, who are level on points with Chelsea at the top of the table but behind their rivals on goal difference, could come unstuck if they allow complacency to creep in. “I have heard people say that we are now playing games that we should win,” Kuyt, Liverpool's joint top scorer with seven goals, said. “If your attitude is right and you prepare properly then you have a better chance of winning, but it is not guaranteed.

“It isn't always possible to play at your best level in every game, but that is what we must try to do against every opponent. It doesn't matter whether it is a game against a team from the top or one from the bottom, if you don't get it right, you can have problems.”