Carra sends title warning

Reds ace ready for fight to the end

Last updated: 24th March 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Carra sends title warning

Carragher: Confident

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Liverpool star Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United will be feeling the heat in the title race after closing the gap at the top of the table.

Rafa Benitez's men capitalised on United's surprise 2-0 defeat to Fulham on Saturday with a 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa on Sunday to move within one point of the leaders.

Carragher accepts the title is still in United's hands with Sir Alex Ferguson's men still having a game in hand over their arch-rivals, but the Reds defender feels his side are hitting form at just the right time in the season.

Message

"This will have sent a message out to United and Chelsea," said Carragher.

"Let's not kid ourselves, they'd have been watching the game.

"When you play Real Madrid and Manchester United and score so many goals, you know in the back of your mind that can't happen every week so to get five against Villa was a magnificent achievement.

"If we'd have dropped points against Villa, United's defeat at Fulham wouldn't have made that much of a difference but we've capitalised on it.

"Now United will realise they are in a fight for the league."

Carragher believes Liverpool have recovered well from a wobble at the turn of the year which saw United displace them at the Premier League summit.

Maturing
"We are maturing and getting used to the demands of fighting for a title," he said.

"We were there earlier in the season but, having not been in that position before, maybe we didn't know how to deal with it.

"We've probably found it difficult a few times this season to cope with that.

"We're well aware that the title is in Manchester United's hands, but we're trying to put them under as much pressure as possible."

Comments (39)

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Namik Aliyev (Liverpool fan) says...

Carra is absolutely right.United"s under big pressure.Just before defeat from Liverpool they were thinking that title in their hands,but now we see how difficult to be a leader.So many games still to play,and here"s checking - which team has the most iron nerves.At the moment Liverpool's looking better.Hope it will till the end of season.

Posted 05:32 25th March 2009

Robert Rigby (Liverpool fan) says...

I would just like to point out to all the supporters who say Liverpool have only just hit a bit of form over the last few weeks and seem to think thats why we are where we are, that we didnt get to be 1 point behind United without winning a few games outside of the last week or two.

Posted 02:32 25th March 2009

Paddy Campbell (Liverpool fan) says...

For everyone saying Liverpool are nothing without Gerrard and Torres . . Do you actually know how many times they have started together this season :rolls eyes: And of course Liverpool wouldn't be the same team without Gerrard, the same way Arsenal wouldn't be without Fabregas, Chelsea without Lampard and Utd without Ronaldo. And for the Newcastle fan calling Liverpool pretenders . . You're in a relegation scrap and you think you are a big club, now thats pretenders for you.

Posted 00:41 25th March 2009

James Fricker says...

This is clearly Liverpool's greatest chance to win the one and only thing they want the most its been 19 years (i think?) And I honestly think if you don't do it this year u might be waiting a another 19 yrs. Even with the likes of Torres and Gerrard you are still missing something!! Your lack of quality on the bench is still an issue liverpool have ngog (and i wont mention the keane signing). United have the likes of tevez, anderson etc.. and to have players of that ability on the subs bench clearly shows united strength within the squad. And comments like "its united to lose" means nothing they have not waited 19 yrs to win it. They have won all the domestic honours, the champions league on top of being club world champion and one less trophy in the cabinet is really not going to unsuccessful season is it! i think they can afford to not win the prem for one season Regardless if Liverpool win the prem the question is "can they really hold on to it?" I have noticed no liverpool fans or players have said anything regarding that! what's the point in winning it one year and then possibly waiting another 5 ,10 or even 19 years to win it again!

Posted 00:27 25th March 2009

Oddy Ndioks (liverpool fan) says...

Jamie Carragher Please keep quiet for now, time will tell!! I hope it turns out right

Posted 23:36 24th March 2009

Will Peake (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool have no desire or drive without Gerrard? i seem to remember us beating Man U earlier this season without torres or gerrard starting, and man u fans forget they could barely pick up a point at the start of the season when ronaldo was injured..

Posted 22:38 24th March 2009

Deano H (tigers fan) says...

Talking as a totally unbiased fan, i can tell you exactly what is going to happen. 1) Manchester United will win the title, please stop deluding yourselves. 2) Chelsea Will finish 2nd, as they are simply a better team man for man than Liverpool. 3) Liverpool will finish 3rd but finish trophyless again....please except you are still nowhere near consistent or good enough over a full season. 4) Why do we only hear Carragher piping up after a couple of good results and not all season? 5) Biggest laugh was when he retired from international football.

Posted 20:10 24th March 2009

Luke Fry (Manchester United fan) says...

Man United never do anything the easy way! It's almost as if they need to feel the heat in order to perform at their best. If you look back at United's triumphs in Fergie¿s era, 90 per cent of the titles they have won have been in a nail biting fashion, when they have been good dominant enough to make it easier on themselves. It's almost as if they thrive on the pressure and excitement and it brings out the best in them. Before Xmas when we returned from Japan a couple of bad results could have derailed our league challenge, we were under big pressure and look how United responded. I expect them to accept Liverpool¿s challenge and meet it head on as per usual.

Posted 18:24 24th March 2009

Micheal Cyrus (Manchester United fan) says...

Carra might be right to say United are feeling the pressure but it is nothing united can't handle he seems to have forgotten we have been in this position many times and have always come out top. United is not the only one feeling the pressure liverpool is too and that is why united is such a unique team they always know how to bounce back from things like these but liverpool i can bet will crunch under pressure they have never been able to cope with so much pressure i mean they were top of the league not to very long ago but what happened?..... we all know

Posted 13:37 24th March 2009

Butho Ndlovu (Chelsea fan) says...

Sorry for Man U, if they think the title is theirs by default, the next 3 matches for them will decide the title, with Rooney, Vidic and probably Berba out they will be very lucky to come out with a draw against Villa I know its hard to believe but bookmakers will tell u( Liverpool go for it u have nothing to lose)

Posted 13:31 24th March 2009

Nathon Woodhead (Newcastle United fan) says...

What a surprise Jamie Carragher pipes up again.... every year he says Liverpool are 'real' title contenders an every year he looks silly. Liverpool will finish 3rd Behind United and Chelsea and all this hype will be over nothing YET AGAIN! Liverpool are the big pretenders in football. Good result at Old Trafford I give them that... but equally nice results at home to Stoke and away to Boro. Big time pretenders and Carragher talks nonsense.

Posted 13:29 24th March 2009

Paul Davies (Liverpool fan) says...

Liverpool have had a magnificant season and i'd argue that with anyone! Ok, they've dropped a few points at home which has proved costly but Utd havent exactly set the world on fire this season! Liverpool have proven time and time again this season that they have the character and the talent to not only win games but also win despite conceding first. They are THE most disciplined team in the PL and they grow stronger and more confident with every game ...enhanced by the great new that Rafa is here to stay. I'm telling you now ....Liverpool will win not only the PL this season but also the CL ...and all you doubters will be left stunned and lost for words. Come on rafa's red men ...lets continue the reds rampage!

Posted 13:26 24th March 2009

Peter Richey (Liverpool fan) says...

The next match will go a long way to deciding the title. If Liverpool can win and ManU draw thus reducing the gap to 2 points then I think it will be too close to call. Everyone still thinks ManU will win so effectively we all have a mindset of 'its theirs to lose' I believe all the pressure is with them - they are the defending champs, they are the ones who know how to close out a title race and they are world champs. In addition, to surrender this lead to Liverpool, of all teams, would be unthinkable. I do believe that if Liverpool can take max points from their last 8 games they will be champions.

Posted 13:15 24th March 2009

Rorie Smyth (Manchester United fan) says...

All United need to do is match liverpools results then the team who deserves to win the League over the whole season wins it, not the team who has hit a bit of form over the past few weeks.

Posted 12:51 24th March 2009

Jon Brant (Liverpool fan) says...

Having the experience in winning a premier league helps, but didnt Chelsea win back to back league titles with this lack of experience? As Rafa says 8 cup finals to go and have belief who knows the mancs may slip up

Posted 12:51 24th March 2009

Paul Slater (Liverpool fan) says...

It may now be a closer finish to be Premiership winners, but I only hope the lack of strength in depth in the Liverpool squad doesn't cost us the chance to win it. The side that beat Villa on Saturday is easily our best available . After that, as many Liverpool fans are aware, we have no quality. Many of the' fringe' players, Lucas, Babble, Dossena, Ngog, etc should not be playing in the Premier League. I doubt any of the top 10 Premiership teams would want any of them. Bang them out on loan next season or get rid !

Posted 12:47 24th March 2009

The Joker (Manchester United fan) says...

Jamie, Jaime, Jamie... Do you not think United are used to these pointless mind games. They have proved year on year that those tactics just do not affect them. Yes a couple of poor games but blips like that come with the territory of fighting it out for 5 titles this close to the end of the season! Hint of jealousy I feel from the Liverpool man...

Posted 12:37 24th March 2009

Shuja Ahmad (Manchester United fan) says...

Nothing to do with best squad & strength anymore. United have the best 1st 11 & the best squad in Europe by a mile BUT when confidence is low & a team is lacking form then it affects all the squad - not just the players that played in the defeats. The momentum is with Liverpool & the timing has been perfect for them as there are still 8-9 games to go so there is plaenty of time to catch united. The luck has changed where united are not getting it & liverpool are - This is not a criticism or sour grapes, it's a fact. You need the luck on your side if you are going to win the lge & united need to start grinding results out & the luck will then follow. But i truly believe liverpool have the title i the bag (and cheslea will win the champs lge, and arsenal will win the FA cup). United haven't bottled it or choked, they simply got complacent thinking they had won the lge already - look at the teams that SAF has picked against LFC & Fulham. Nearly 2nd string - WHY?... cos he thought he'd already won. But it's backfired.

Posted 12:22 24th March 2009

Jan Truter (Liverpool fan) says...

If United were really a squad who deserves to have a season where they win all the domestic honours, the champions league on top of being club world champions the should show their class. I know liverpool went through a slump in form, so did Man U when the league started. It's what Liverpool has done against the big boys (Chelsea, United) that has really impressed, along with losing only twice. Now that they're finishing the smaller teams off you can't help but not believe. United fans have to realise that it's not just always...shift back into gear...when you're off form, which they undoubtedly are! I believe if Liverpool win the remaining 8 games they should take the title to Anfield.

Posted 12:20 24th March 2009

Sam Townsend (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

My opinion as a complete outsider is that united are feeling the pressure, and have yet to play well throughout this season, they have just done enough. Liverpool are hitting their top form now and it is slightly earlier that needed. My opinion is if united slip up chelsea will win it. They are stronger under hiddink, and look dangerous, except at the weekend. But that united if is very big. Also BOLTON FOR EUROPE.

Posted 12:10 24th March 2009
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