Carragher urges Liverpool to keep the faith

Jamie Carragher has told his Liverpool team-mates they must keep believing in themselves as the Reds start a crucial week with Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Lyon.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has his work cut out to raise his team’s flagging spirits for Lyon’s visit to Anfield in the wake of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sunderland.

That loss, caused by Darren Bent’s shot hitting a red beach ball and deflecting past keeper Jose Reina, left Liverpool trailing Premier League leaders Manchester United by seven points.

Liverpool have lost their last three matches in all competitions and have failed to score since defeating Hull City 6-1 on September 26.

Fresh from suffering their fourth loss in nine matches since their league season started on a wave of optimism, Benitez’s side must defeat Lyon if they are to ease fears of dropping out of the Champions League and into the Europa League. Yet they may well have to cope without captain Steven Gerrard and leading scorer Fernando Torres, who both missed the Sunderland defeat because of groin injuries.

But Carragher is refusing to be downhearted and insisted that the picture will look a lot brighter if they win on Tuesday and follow it up by defeating title rivals Manchester United next Sunday.

“We now have the Champions League tie against Lyon which will be in front of our own supporters at Anfield,” Carragher said.

“It’s a chance to restore some confidence before we take on Manchester United next Sunday.

“We will stick together and work hard on the training ground to put things right.

“We know we’ve got a good team, good players and a good manager so we’ve got to have belief in ourselves and keep going.

“We have the quality and the belief we will get back to winning ways soon, hopefully starting on Tuesday against Lyon.

“Now is not the time to talk about the title. We are looking to the next game.”

Carragher refused to blame the absence of Gerrard and Torres for the defeat at Sunderland, the former England defender claiming that Liverpool’s squad has enough quality to cope with the absence of the influential duo.

“It was frustrating for us but Chelsea also lost so there is still a long way to go,” added Carragher.

“It’s easy to say we missed Stevie and Fernando and yes they are world-class players, but we have a big squad and we have won without them before.”

Benitez is expected to recall Javier Mascherano to the midfield. Mascherano started on the bench at Sunderland after returning from international duty with Argentina just a few hours before Saturday’s match.

Lyon top Group E having won their first two Champions League games. However, they arrive on Merseyside with their own problems having lost 2-0 at home to Sochaux on Saturday, their first league defeat of the season.

Liverpool need to win after losing to Fiorentina in their last game. Benitez’s team are currently third in the four-team group.

LIVERPOOL, England, Monday (AFP)