Dirk Kuyt is confident Liverpool can banish any thoughts of a Monday night hoodoo by boosting their top four hopes against Portsmouth tonight.

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The Dutchman is well aware that the 1-0 reversal at Wigan was just one of a number of frustrating results the Reds have suffered on a Monday in recent years, but feels the right show of character will see them pick up the three points against the Barclays Premier League's bottom side.

"Last Monday was an off-day for everyone and we just have to forget about it," said Kuyt. "We wanted to change it at Lille and we put a lot of effort in but it just wasn't enough. We controlled the game and didn't give much away but we still lost.

"We know we are capable of scoring more goals. We need to show character now. We are playing for Liverpool Football Club and you know that you have got to win games and ultimately win trophies.

"Everyone is so disappointed with what has happened this season but this is the way it is. We have to try and forget what has gone before and look forward to what is left. We've got three massive games coming up, in Europe and in the Premier League.

"We know what we have to do. We have got to win them all. The positive we took out of the Lille game is that we were organised and worked hard for each other. We also created a couple of chances and we were unlucky not to score a goal.

"To then concede one five minutes before the end of the game was really unlucky but this is football. We have got a chance to put it right now. We have got another game and we have got a lot of quality in the team.

"It's true that we have not been scoring a lot of goals at the moment but it all changes from now."

Liverpool can move to within one point of fourth-placed Tottenham with victory over Avram Grant's men, a result that would raise confidence ahead of Thursday's Europa League second-leg at home to Lille.

Kuyt remains upbeat about the Reds' hopes in both competitions and is eager to help resurrect what has been a frustrating campaign.

"We still have a good chance in both competitions," said Kuyt. "We can't depend on anything other teams might do, we just have to look after ourselves. We will work really hard and we will stick together.

"We've got to make sure we get the results that need to improve the situation. As soon as the belief is not there, there is absolutely no point in stepping on the pitch. I just always believe that we can get good results.

"We've got a great team and great players. Unfortunately for much of the season we have not shown our quality but I think we are still capable of doing that. There is still a long way to go and we have to remember we can still win a trophy. That has to be the aim."