Following disappointment in their last two games, Liverpool got back on track with a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
With key men Gerrard and Torres still missing Rafa Benitez only made two changes from the side that had drawn with Stoke at the weekend, Aquilani and Riera replacing Ngog and Aurelio in the starting XI.
The atmosphere at Anfield was buzzing, and the players responded to it well, taking just five minutes to open the scoring.
The Reds had just suffered a scare following a mixup between Kyrgiakos and Reina, but the keeper eventually gathered the ball and hit a long kick up the pitch. Aquilani battled well to win the ball and and laid it on to Kuyt who coolly side-footed home from the edge of the box.
Spurs had a good spell of possession following the goal but were limited to half chances, rarely looking like scoring.
Aquilani was a constant threat playing behind Kuyt whilst Riera also looked lively for the home side, but there were to be no more goals in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half started well for the Reds, but it was the visitors who were next to put the ball in the net through Jermaine Defoe.
Fortunately for the Anfield faithful though the referee had spotted an infringement in the buildup and the goal was disallowed.
As the second half went on Liverpool started to turn up the pressure and a number of good opportunities to double their lead were spurned, the best chances falling to Kuyt and Degen.
The introduction of David Ngog for Aquilani added a fresh spring to Liverpool's step, and for the first time in recent weeks the Reds looked comfortable going into the closing stages with only a one goal advantage.
The result was confirmed in the dying minutes of The game when Ngog was brought down in the any and the ref duly pointed to the spot.
Kuyt fired the spot kick home but was forced to retake it as his team mates had entered the penalty area before the kick was taken.
The Dutchman kept his cool though to net again, ensuring three points for the Reds that sees them move within a point of fourth place.
