Dirk Kuyt is confident he can start firing goals regularly again after ending his dry spell with the winner against Manchester United on Saturday.

The 31-year-old - who was Liverpool's top scorer last season with 15 - had not found the net since our League Cup win over Brighton in September.

But his habit of firing in big games continued as the Reds progressed to the FA Cup fifth round, where they have been drawn to face Brighton.

Kuyt hopes the Kop-end goal will give him the impetus to build his 2011-12 tally.

"It was a great feeling when it hit the net, especially as I haven't been scoring many," said the 84-time Holland international.

"Last year to score a hat-trick against United was something really special. But to score so late with the stakes so high to win us this game was maybe even better.

"I've been used to playing every game for the past 10 years of my career but it's the manager's decision and you have to respect that, especially when the manager's name is Kenny Dalglish.

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"I have to prove myself to him on the pitch and in training.

"I've been playing more and more now since the start of the year. I've felt stronger and for me it was just a matter of time before I scored again.

"In life we all have ups and downs. Last season when Kenny arrived I played every game and scored more than 10 goals under him. This season I have struggled a bit but I'm sure if I keep playing like this I know I will score more goals."

Kuyt was eager to praise strike-partner Andy Carroll, who made himself a nuisance to aid Daniel Agger's opener on Saturday before providing the assist for Kuyt's late winner.

"I thought Andy played a great game and he worked really hard," Kuyt said.

"I know how difficult it is to be alone up front but he battled throughout the game. He was important for us for both of our goals.

"The header for the last goal was something I had told him. I said, 'Win the header and flick it on' and he did that perfectly.

"I've been a striker all my life. Whenever there's a chance I just take it as it is. I've got a lot of belief in myself and all the players around me are always supporting me, like I try to support them.

"When things aren't going so well you just have to keep working hard. We are all in this together.

"If you want to achieve things you have to do it together. It's not a one-man team. It's about 11 players on the pitch doing the job."