Jamie Carragher has hit out at the headline writers who claimed he'd written off Liverpool's title chances before a ball has been kicked in the forthcoming Premiership season.
Liverpudlians were surprised to read comments attributed to Carragher in last week's newspaper that virtually dismissed the Reds' aspirations of ending their long wait for the title.
But Carra today insists that he does believe Liverpool have what it takes to win the Premiership in 2005/06.
"I was a bit disappointed with the headlines in the Sunday papers the other week saying I didn't think we'd win it," he says. "There's a difference between being asked 'can we win it?' or 'will we win it?'
"Of course I think we can win it, but it's not the Liverpool way to start saying we're going to do this or that, so I'm not going to say we're definitely going to win the title this season.
"At the same time, I'm the last person you'll hear being defeatist and writing off our chances before a ball is kicked. We'll all start on equal points and we have proved in the Champions League the levels we can reach.
"I'm sick and tired of hearing and talking about fourth place, so when we start the season at Middlesbrough, we will be going out there thinking only of playing for that title. We'll see how the season goes after that."
Carragher, who's currently in Lithuania preparing for tonight's Champions League qualifier against FBK Kaunas, also says that he's been impressed with what he's seen so far of new striker Peter Crouch
"Peter's first touch in training confirmed to everyone he's a good player," adds the Anfield vice-captain.
"He controlled a high ball, dribbled past two men and won a penalty. Everyone was applauding him, although it was easier for me because he was on my team.
"I think that proved what we already knew. He's not just someone who'll offer an aerial threat, but he's good on the deck too. You could see that from the goal he created on Saturday. Defenders are going to find him a problem.
"The good thing for the manager is, at the moment at least, he's got four top strikers to choose from andall bring something different to the team.
"Cisse and Baros have the pace while Morientes is one of the most skilful players I've ever seen. It's all about having options.
"There were times last season when we didn't seem to have any strikers fit at all. We can't have that situation again, especially as we could be competing for six trophies this season if we go to the world club championships."
I'm really looking forward to this Premiership season, I think we'll play with more confidence and determination than the last campain. Winning the CL was a huge mental boost. We proved ourselfs in Europe now we got to prove ourselves in the league.
This time around we have more "possibilities" and options.
