Last Updated: Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:00
Dirk Kuyt accepts the criticism which has been levelled Liverpool in recent weeks and admits the players have underperformed.
The Reds on Sunday head to Newcastle, eight points above them in sixth, on the back of five defeats in six Premier League matches. The latest was a dismal performance at home to Wigan last weekend which saw the players and manager Kenny Dalglish come under even more scrutiny.
"It (criticism) doesn't surprise me because Liverpool should always at least be in the top four or five," Kuyt told Press Association Sport.
"Manchester City have been in there the last couple of years and Spurs are doing really well but I think this team should be in the top five. That is what we expect for ourselves and that is the pressure we put on ourselves because a club like Liverpool should always be there.
"But unfortunately we are not in that position at the moment so we are just trying to change things.
"I think criticism at a club like Liverpool is always there when you don't reach the position people expect you to. That is something we have to change and we can start on Sunday."
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