Kuyt has been all smiles of late with Liverpool's progress to the Champions League quarter-"nals, and aims to be his happy self today when the Merseysiders return to Premiership action at Aston Villa.

"One of the things I have learned in the game is to enjoy what you are doing, and if that means having a smile on my face, so be it. I have played in some wonderful games this season against Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Barcelona. How can you not enjoy games like that?"

Kuyt is also aware of the speculation that Liverpool will bring in a couple of top class strikers in the summer, but said: "It is important to buy good players, even if it is another rival for me - but that makes the team better.

"Sometimes you can buy a supposed 30-goal-aseason man but nothing is guaranteed in the Premiership."

Boss Rafael Benitez will be without Peter Crouch at Villa Park. Kuyt and Craig Bellamy are likely to lead the attack, with Robbie Fowler to return to the squad in place of Crouch.