Dirk Kuyt is confident it will not take much time for Liverpool's record signing Fernando Torres to fully adjust to the demands of the Barclays Premier League after his promising debut against Aston Villa. Torres, signed from Atletico Madrid for ฃ20.2 million, instantly linked up well with Kuyt in the Reds' 2-1 success - their first opening day victory during the Rafael Benitez's era.
The Spain striker squandered one gilt-edged chance in the first half but was involved in the build-up to the opener - an own goal from Villa defender Martin Laursen - and looked sharp until he was taken off with 20 minutes remaining.
Kuyt said: "I thought that Fernando played well. We had some good chances and we looked good together.
"The first goal was an own goal but the team work between the two of us leading up to it was really good.
"Now we will just try to work on things and keep going in the right direction.
"It's his first time in the Premier League but I don't think he will need too long a time to adjust. Every player needs a few games when they come in but he has shown already some quality.
"With a bit of luck he could have scored his first goal for Liverpool. He is real quality."
For all of Torres' skills, it required a superb last gasp-strike from the ever-dependable Steven Gerrard to earn Liverpool their first win on the first day of the campaign for five years.
Gareth Barry's penalty looked to have secured an undeserved share of the spoils for Villa only for Gerrard to give Villa keeper Stuart Taylor no chance with a free-kick after he was adjudged to have been fouled by Stiliyan Petrov.
Kuyt said: "Steven has the feeling for important moments and important goals. He is a wonderful player. He has lots of quality and he showed today one of his qualities.
"He scored a wonderful free-kick at the right time and he is very important for the team and I was very thankful for his goal."
Kuyt is aware of the Reds' need to make a positive start to the campaign if they are to challenge the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea for the title.
He said: "It is a good start and we finally have three points in the first league game. That was very important for us and it is up to us to keep going.
"The importance of starting well has been said to us but we really wanted to show the people that we have quality and we can rival with the big clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
"It is very important that you don't lose too many points in the beginning. In the last few years we have been too far behind by September, October.
"To be honest, I think we had a really good second half to last season but that's not good enough to be challenging with the other clubs.
"We have to be playing all year and that's what we are trying to do now. We want to play better and better. We are off the mark now and have to keep going."
Villa captain Barry believes Villa were unlucky to concede the free-kick which led to Gerrard's winner but he was quick to praise the England star.
He said: "We felt it wasn't a free-kick. Stan (Petrov) said he has got a touch on the ball and the referee (Mike Riley) has looked around and thought 'Let's give them a free-kick.'
"We won't complaint too much but we felt we were a bit unlucky.
"From then on Steven Gerrard showed why he is one of the best players in Europe and the world. He has put the free-kick in the top corner.
"It is a sickener and it will be disappointing for a couple of days because a late winner against you is always the worst way to go away from the ground.
"But we will get our heads up on Monday and Tuesday and look towards Newcastle. It is a long season and we will go out there at Newcastle next weekend looking for a result."
Barry believes the performance of Ashley Young should give Villa cause for optimism.
"Ashley has come back confident since the playing for the England Under-21s in the summer. He is playing well and he put in a great couple of crosses," he said.
"He is going to get better as the season goes on. He was a big plus against Liverpool and I am sure he will get better and better."
Meanwhile Villa midfielder Craig Gardner, currently operating as a makeshift right-back, has agreed a new four-year contract.
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