Dirk Kuyt warns Liverpool will need to call on their entire squad in search of success in the crunch games which are set to shape the rest of their season.

Kuyt captained a much-changed Liverpool side at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday when they lost 2-1 to Arsenal in the Carling Cup.

Liverpool were without Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Fernando Torres and Jose Reina in north London - but all are expected to return on Saturday for a Barclays Premier League match at Fulham before next week's must-win Champions League trip to Lyon.

Matches at Birmingham and then against Manchester City and Everton follow in the first half of next month - and Kuyt knows the Reds need everyone in or close to top form.

"We are ready for a big week, and a big few weeks," said the Dutchman.

"We did not win against Arsenal - but that will not stop us being ready for the weekend game at Fulham and the games coming up, particularly in Europe.

"We believe if we win the next couple of games and go on a good run, you never know what will happen to our season.

"We said on Sunday that we beat Manchester United not with just 11 players, but with the whole squad."

The same togetherness prevailed against the Gunners - albeit in defeat.

"The lads who did not play in the last couple of weeks picked up that attitude and played well against Arsenal, even though we lost," Kuyt reported.

"That attitude to the game is good to see. It is very important - because we need the whole squad this season. There are a lot of games."

Kuyt will almost certainly hand the captain's armband back to either Gerrard - under intense treatment for his groin problem - or Jamie Carragher for the trip to Craven Cottage.

But he certainly enjoyed the honour.

"I am very proud to be the captain of a Liverpool team, but unfortunately we didn't win. That was disappointing," he said.

"Everyone knows Stevie and 'Carra' are the captains of the team. But with them not there, it was nice to have my chance."