AHMED Elmohamady believes Hull City should be flying high in the Premier League's top six as they target another surprise at Liverpool tomorrow.
A week after earning a 2-2 draw away to Arsenal, the Tigers travel to Anfield confident of upsetting another Champions League outfit on their home turf.
Steve Bruce's men have lost just two of their eight league games during an encouraging start to the campaign and Elmohamady says the table does not do City justice.
The loss of eight points from winning positions is to blame, including last weekend at the Emirates, but the Egyptian is sure the current standing of 11th will soon improve.
"The season is going well," said the ever-present wing-back. "But I feel after eight games, we should really be in the top six, if we had got all the points we should have taken.
"We have new players and we are getting better and better all the time. The goals are going in and that is pleasing. Every team has to have that attacking threat.
"Look at Arsenal. In the last second, we conceded but we got two goals against a very good team that played in the Champions League a few days after playing us.
"That is what we are up against. It was a good experience. We are learning with every game and everyone looks forward to the next game coming round.
"The next four or five games will be very important. We will work just as hard against Liverpool. I know everyone will give 100 per cent. We are looking forward to returning to Anfield and playing like we did at Arsenal."
A second season in the top flight ensures City's first ambition will be to secure survival, but Elmohamady is not afraid to aim higher than their final position of 16th last term.
He added: "We just want to finish as high as possible. Top ten would be a fantastic achievement for us. I believe that is a realistic target with this squad. We deserve much more than last year."
Elmohamady is well positioned to offer a view on City's progress. Since starting away to Chelsea on their Premier League return in August of last year, he has started every fixture for Steve Bruce's men.
An unbroken run that began when the Tigers were still in the Championship now stands at 64 consecutive league appearances and he said: "Touch wood, I can keep playing. As a player, you want to play.
"To play so many times in a row is brilliant for me. It makes me very happy. The manager gives me confidence every time I play. So do the players who play with me. That is fantastic.
"I am still young at 27, and if you didn't play every game at my age, when will you play?
"I want to play and it is great the manager shows such faith in me.
"I just want to keep going, look after myself inside and outside the game. I want a long career and I want to stay in the Premier League. For me, it is the best league in the world and I want to stay here for a long time."
