by the great one » Wed Jan 26, 2005 6:26 pm
Jamie Carragher today blasted Liverpool's critics while predicting last night's Carling Cup victory will kick-start their season.
Carragher admits he was astonished at the weekend to see and hear the reaction to the Reds' 2-0 defeat at Southampton, which even led one newspaper columnist to brand it the club's worst performance in 40 years.
The Liverpool defender was delighted with the team's response as they booked their place in the Cup final last night, and he says the thrill of reaching another Cardiff showpiece will drive the Reds on in the league over the coming weeks.
"I read in one of the newspapers it was the worst performance in 40 years at Southampton," said Carragher. "That was the biggest load of nonsense I've seen. To be honest, I took it with a pinch of salt because I knew it was written by a Man United fan.
"I've been in the side for eight years. I know the Southampton game was poor, but I tell you what, I've played in a lot of games like that and some which were even worse.
"We're fifth in the Premiership, which by Liverpool standards isn't good, but when other big clubs have bad times, I don't see them getting the same stick.
"Manchester United and Spurs got relegated in the '70s didn't they? People should bear it in mind that no matter how great your past is, you can have bad periods in football.
"To compare us with 40 years ago is ridiculous. We're fifth in the league, in a major cup final and in the last 16 of the Champions League. I bet there are lots of clubs who'd like that.
"This result has now given everyone something to look forward to in February. Not only have we got a major final, we've got the Champions League kicking off again around the same time.
"Sometimes, I don't know what people expect. The manager's only just arrived. I know we've been inconsistent in the league and I know the manager would like us to have more points.
"But he should be judged much later, not because of one bad week."
''I know Mourinho likes to tell people that he is the European champion manager but he's not now. That belongs to Benitez. '' Jamie Carragher