Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool could be the only
team capable of challenging Manchester United for this season's
Premier League title.
The experienced defender insists the club can be proud of their
efforts this term, having moved ahead of the likes of Arsenal and
Chelsea in the reckoning.
Chelsea's form under Luiz Felipe Scolari prompted a dramatic
parting of the ways last week, while the Gunners are currently
involved in a scrap for fourth with Aston Villa.
And Carragher sees Liverpool's move into second as a significant
step in the right direction. "We finished fourth last season, but
we have overtaken Chelsea and Arsenal and even though everyone at
the club understands that it's not over yet by a long way, at the
moment it looks like it is going to be us and Manchester United for
the title," he told www.liverpoolfc.tv.
"Just by overtaking Chelsea and Arsenal in the challenge is an
achievement in itself already so everyone should be proud of
that."
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old was eager to stress that the
runners-up spot should not be seen as their ultimate ambition.
Instead, he has set his sights on a first league success in 19
years.
"A lot of people said at the start of the season that we needed
to be in the title race at the end and at least be in with a
fighting chance," added Carragher. "Now hopefully we can go one
step further and win this title.
"There are still a lot of games to go, so it's important
everyone at the club remains calm." The Reds meet the league
leaders at Old Trafford on March 14 and Carragher is hoping the
fit-again Fernando Torres can help them put the pressure on United
before the sides meet.
He added: "United have got a bit of a lead on us at the moment
but if we can close that gap before we go to Old Trafford next
month, that would put us in a great position - especially if we are
in form at the time of that game.
"Fernando has been scoring goals recently, but if we can get him
back firing like he did at the end of last season it's going to be
a massive boost for us.
"Fernando is the best striker in the Premier League, if not the
world, so to be where we are already after playing so much of the
season without him is a great credit to the lads, staff and
management. "It would be interesting to see how other teams would
cope without having such an important player on the sidelines for
so long."
Liverpool's bid could be further boosted by the sooner than
expected return of skipper Steven Gerrard. Gerrard suffered a
hamstring tear in the Merseyside derby on February 4 and was
initially expected to be out for three weeks - with the February 25
Champions League clash with Real Madrid thought to be his most
likely target.
Now manager Rafael Benitez has opened the door for a potential
return from the bench against Manchester City on Sunday. The
Spaniard said Gerrard had reacted well to treatment and was eager
to get back on the pitch as soon as possible.
"He is improving," said Benitez. "In these situations each day
is important. He is working with the medical staff and is
progressing. "Normally he is a player who recovers quickly. He
needs less time than other players.
"Maybe he could be on the bench against City but we don't know.
"He wants to play every single game. He knows the game against City
will be very important, and also the Real Madrid one too."
