Kuyt hopes new boys hit ground running

Kuyt has been impressed by Benitez's £40million transfer blitz which has seen Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel, Yossi Benayoun and Andriy Voronin arrive at Anfield.

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But the Dutch striker fears it will all be in vain if the Reds make the same mistake as last season. Despite another impressive European campaign, Liverpool's hopes of winning the Premiership were effectively over by the end of October.

By then they had won just four of their first 10 League matches while Manchester United, who went on to lift the title, recorded eight wins from the same number of games.

Kuyt, speaking after helping his side warm up for the new campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win at Crewe, said: "You can't win the title in the first few weeks of the season but you can certainly lose it.

"We had a slow start last season but this time it's important that we show we can do it from the start. I think it was a good thing to bring a few new players in. We certainly have to play much better than last year. I'm not worried about my place.

"It's important to get players to make the team better and the competition at Liverpool is now stronger than ever."

Kuyt was one of 22 players used by Benitez at Gresty Road as the Spaniard fielded two completely different teams at the start of each half.

Peter Crouch marked his first pre-season appearance with a goal while Lee Peltier and Ray Putterill, a member of last season's triumphant FA Youth Cup-winning side, also scored before Liverpool headed off to Switzerland for a training camp.

Voronin, a free signing from Bayer Leverkusen, also looked useful going forward. Torres, the club record £20m signing, was not risked as he is recovering from a minor ankle knock while Babel and Benayoun are also expected to make their first appearances for the club this week.

Liverpool face Werder Bremen tomorrow in Switzerland before playing Auxerre on Friday.

Benitez hopes to be joined in Switzerland by Lucas Leiva, 20, the Brazilian midfielder who agreed to move to Anfield in May from Gremio in a £5m deal.

But the transfer is dependent on Leiva acquiring the necessary documents allowing him to play in England and the Reds reserve the right to cancel the move if they cannot secure the player's eligibility.

Liverpool officials have been working to secure an Italian passport for Leiva and Benitez is hopeful all the documentation will be in place in time to allow the player to link up with the squad this week.

Benitez said: "He is the captain of the Brazil Under 20 side and won the Golden Boot in his country last year, so we know he has quality. We also believe he has the mentality and the character you need to do well in England."

Benitez has confirmed that Fabio Aurelio is unlikely to be fit in time for the start of the season.

The Brazilian left back, 27, ruptured his Achilles tendon during the Champions League quarter-final at Dutch outfit PSV Eindhoven in April.

"Fabio isn't fit," said Benitez. "It could be another month before he recovers. We knew it would be a long time when he got injured."

Aurelio joined Liverpool from Valencia last summer and made 25 appearances last season.