Dirk Kuyt has warned Liverpool's title rivals that the Reds have yet to play their best football. Rafa Benitez's side currently occupy second place in the Premier League standings to Manchester United.

"It's right to say we have players who are just reaching their peak," the Dutchman told the club's official website.

"Steven Gerrard just seems to get better every season. Maybe he hasn't even reached his peak yet. He scores loads of goals and everyone can see how important he is. It's the same with Fernando (Torres) and a few others.

"We have a lot of young, talented players who have now been at the club for a long time.

"I think this is the best team I have played with at Liverpool."

Kuyt believes the recent enforced break after being knocked out of the cup will prove beneficial to Benitez's men.

"The manager gave us a few days off so I went back to Holland to see family and friends," he said.

"Hopefully it will be my last opportunity to go back this season, because that would mean we are doing really well.

"We're all ready for the season now. If we'd have got through in the FA Cup we would have been playing but we have to see this as an opportunity to be fresh for the games ahead."