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Jamie Carragher worried that Liverpool's poor home form could cost them top four finish
Following the Reds' goalless draw against Stoke, the Bootle-born defender admitted that work needs to be done in order to secure a Champions League place this season
15 Jan 2012 14:33:00
By Alex Meyers
Getty Images
Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has admitted that his side’s home form needs to improve if they are to claim a top four finish following their goalless draw against Stoke.
Kenny Dalglish's men failed to find the back of the net at Anfield as they were held to their seventh home draw in the league this season.
Despite remaining unbeaten on Merseyside thus far, the Reds' inability to win games sees them trail fourth-placed Chelsea by five points in the race for a Champions League spot.
"It wasn't the result that we wanted but Stoke are a tough nut to crack and they have proved that a lot of times this season," Carragher told reporters.
"They have got a very strong back four and unfortunately we couldn't break them down.
"It's been a problem a few times at Anfield this season.
"We need to sort that out before the end of the season if we want to get to where want to be, which is obviously the top four."
Confidence was high for Liverpool coming into the game following victory in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Manchester City in midweek but they could not find the breakthrough they needed against a well-organised Stoke side.
"We had a good result a couple of days ago and we wanted to build on that," the defender continued.
"It is a bit of a comedown from Wednesday [against City] but we have had that plenty of times this season.
"People have been disappointed with some results but then we have got a result that people don't expect.
"We are still up there, very close to the top four."
The next couple of weeks could prove crucial in Liverpool’s season with the second leg of their League Cup clash with Manchester City being followed by an FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester United just three days later.
However, their 33-year-old stopper is confident his side has what it takes to beat the Premier League’s current top two.
"A draw at home against City would be okay - we wouldn't have a problem with that and we would take that now," he said.
"You wouldn't want a draw against United, as you wouldn't want to be going to Old Trafford for a replay.
"I don't think anyone is looking at those games from that point of view.
"Maybe when you play sides who will come on the front foot, it makes things a bit easier.
"Teams have come here this season and made it difficult but you would expect that City and United will come and try to win the game - that may make it easier for us."
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Kenny Dalglish's men failed to find the back of the net at Anfield as they were held to their seventh home draw in the league this season.
Despite remaining unbeaten on Merseyside thus far, the Reds' inability to win games sees them trail fourth-placed Chelsea by five points in the race for a Champions League spot.
"It wasn't the result that we wanted but Stoke are a tough nut to crack and they have proved that a lot of times this season," Carragher told reporters.
"They have got a very strong back four and unfortunately we couldn't break them down.
"It's been a problem a few times at Anfield this season.
"We need to sort that out before the end of the season if we want to get to where want to be, which is obviously the top four."
Confidence was high for Liverpool coming into the game following victory in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final against Manchester City in midweek but they could not find the breakthrough they needed against a well-organised Stoke side.
"We had a good result a couple of days ago and we wanted to build on that," the defender continued.
"It is a bit of a comedown from Wednesday [against City] but we have had that plenty of times this season.
"People have been disappointed with some results but then we have got a result that people don't expect.
"We are still up there, very close to the top four."
The next couple of weeks could prove crucial in Liverpool’s season with the second leg of their League Cup clash with Manchester City being followed by an FA Cup fourth round tie against Manchester United just three days later.
However, their 33-year-old stopper is confident his side has what it takes to beat the Premier League’s current top two.
"A draw at home against City would be okay - we wouldn't have a problem with that and we would take that now," he said.
"You wouldn't want a draw against United, as you wouldn't want to be going to Old Trafford for a replay.
"I don't think anyone is looking at those games from that point of view.
"Maybe when you play sides who will come on the front foot, it makes things a bit easier.
"Teams have come here this season and made it difficult but you would expect that City and United will come and try to win the game - that may make it easier for us."
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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