Dirk Kuyt has warned Liverpool's rivals for the Premier League title that the leaders will improve in the second half of the season.

The Dutch forward was rested at the weekend for the FA Cup third-round win at Preston North End, but is likely to be recalled for the match at Stoke City on Saturday evening.

With Liverpool on an 11-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Kuyt said: "The important thing for us this season is that we have had a better start than in previous seasons.

"We've new players in the squad who have made us better but the other players have been together for a few years and because of that we are only going to get better and better."

Kuyt wants to improve on a 0-0 draw against Stoke at Anfield in Septemer. "That was a really frustrating afternoon," he said. "Sometimes you cannot explain football. We had so many chances to kill the game but just could not do it.

"I do not think their crowd will let them be as defensive this weekend as they were at Anfield and so maybe there will be more space for us to play in.

"They have done well at home, though, so we know it will be a difficult game. They are a strong team who can cause problems from long throws, but if we focus 100 per cent then we should win."

He added: "It is great to be top of the league. At the moment it is not necessary to talk about the league title. You can talk as much as you want but if you are not at the top at the end then it does not matter. It is better just to keep focused and concentrated on your next game."

Xabi Alonso has an outside chance of being fit to play at Stoke. The midfielder had seven stitches in a damaged foot after the win at Preston but, although he has swelling, there is no further damage and he has been in training using special footwear.