Carragher says the Reds are thinking about the title and nothing else

Liverpool central defender Jamie Carragher believes the Reds will fight to win the Premier League despite suffering two defeats so far this season.

"There are other teams who could get into the top four this year - but hopefully not at our expense," he said in the Echo.

"We're not thinking about that, though, we're just thinking about the title and not about fourth place.

"A couple of teams have jumped out so far. We've already played Tottenham and Aston Villa and of course Manchester City are the side a lot of people are talking about, but if we start playing the way we can then I'm sure we'll be right up there.”

Meanwhile, left-back Fabio Aurelio has returned to full training and could return to action this Saturday when the Reds face Burnley at home.

Carragher warns critics not to write off the Reds

Liverpool centre back Jamie Carragher has warned critics not to write off the Reds Premiership campaign, stating The Reds are the best in the world at recovering when on the ropes. The Anfield club who defeated Bolton on Saturday after trailing 2-1, picked up 22 points from losing positions last season.

"We have taken a bit of criticism and rightly so, because we haven't made the best of starts," said Carragher in the Telegraph.

"But no-one can ever write us off. Ourselves and Manchester United, not just in this league but probably anywhere in the world, are the best at coming back from deficits and winning games."

"At Bolton, the lads showed what great character we have."

"It was so important to get those three points, especially with the international break coming up."

Benitez talks injuries: Carragher, Skrtel and Gerrard. Will they be fit to face Spurs?

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is hopeful Jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard will all be fit for the Reds Premiership clash against Spurs on Sunday. Giving his pre-match press conference the Reds boss said:

"Skrtel trained yesterday and hopefully he'll be fit. Carragher has been working with the physios today and we think he'll be available. Agger is also working with the physios but it will be more difficult for him," said Benitez on the official site.

Benitez also spoke about Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard Gerrard who withdrew from England's friendly international with Holland with a tight groin:

"I am really pleased because Mr Capello wanted to protect players. Because Gerrard had a problem they did a scan and pulled him out of the squad. We don't know if he'll be fit. He was working with the physios yesterday and today.

"If the game would have been on Saturday it would be difficult but because it's on Sunday he could have a chance."

Reds confident Gerrard and Carragher will be fit to face Spurs

Liverpool are hopeful Steven Gerrard will be fit for Sunday’s Premier League opener at Tottenham, reports the Echo. The midfielder did not travel to Holland with the England squad after experiencing a tight groin.

“Gerrard returned to Melwood as a precaution yesterday and intensive treatment should allow him to lead the Reds out at White Hart Lane.”

It is the sixth successive campaign Liverpool have started away from home and the inspirational captain is desperate to play and get the club’s Premiership campaign off to a flying start.

“I don’t think Rafa’s ever had a home game to start the season in all his time at the club,” Gerrard said.

“But I think that if you take a step back and look at it in detail, there are benefits to beginning the season away from home. If you can achieve three points you’ve then got two games to come in front of your own supporters.”

“The start to the season’s always crucial because you can build momentum quickly.”

“They’re all tough games, but if we could get three points from each of the first three games, then that would be us off to a flier and that will be our intention.”

Jamie Carragher is also making good progress. The passionate centre back twisted his ankle in last Saturday's 2-1 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid, but “is expected to play at White Hart Lane and the Reds are confident he will have an experienced defender alongside him,” reports the Echo.

Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have both been sidelined through injury, “however, Rafa Benitez is hopeful either Skrtel or Agger will prove their fitness in time to face Spurs,” says the story.

Benitez eases injury crisis fears

Most of today's papers are running with the story that Liverpool are in the middle of a defence crisis. It's true that Agger and Skrtel are recovering from injury and Jamie Carragher was taken off during the Atletico Madrid match on Saturday, however the Reds manager has played down the scare tactics from the press. Carragher he explains, was taken off as a precautionary measure and Skrtel and Agger are making quick recoveries. Incredibly most papers are quoting Rafa's comments below under the Rafa faces 'Injury Crisis' headline.

Benitez said: "Jamie's injury is not serious, just a twisted ankle. But with our injury problems which include Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel, we felt we needed to take him off as a precaution, just in case," reports the Telegraph.

"We will keep an eye on him for two or three days to see how he reacts, but I feel he will be OK. Hopefully, Agger or Skrtel will be fit too."

"Agger has a back problem, and that should be OK in a couple of days. Skrtel is nearly over his hamstring injury, he's nearly there.”

"He is training again and I believe that at the end of this week both of them will be fit to play.”

Fernando Torres was also taken off as a precautionary measure on Saturday but Benitez believes it is not serious:

"I do not believe that the injury to Fernando Torres is anything serious, he had an ankle problem but it was a minor one and he also came off as a precaution."

The newspapers may interpret this quote as: Benitez injury HELL!!: 'Torres's legs fall off!'

Carragher says Gerrard and Torres the best strike partnership in the world

Jamie Carragher believes Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be key to Liverpool's hopes of winning the Premier League this season. The Liverpool defender thinks the fearsome pairing could be the most destructive strike partnership in the world.

"No other team in England has a partnership like Gerrard and Torres," reports Sky Sports.

"It's strange to be talking about Stevie as a striker now, but that's what he's become, and in that position, just behind the main forward, there is no one better."

"In fact, there is no better strike pairing in the world than Gerrard and Torres. They can tear defences wide open in a split second."

"When you have that kind of ability in your team it gives you incredible belief. If we can keep them both free of injury then we are going to take some stopping. There were times last year when we went into games without them and it showed."

"It was great to see them both sign new contracts this summer - they are the most important players in our team."

"If they stay fit and continue to improve then I think we will go very close. We all hope this will be our year, but we'll have to play as well as we did last season and turn the draws that damaged us into wins."

Carragher call for an end to Alonso’s uncertainty as Real up their bid to £30m

Liverpool’s stand in Captain for the clubs Far East tour Jamie Carragher has called for an end to the speculation surrounding midfielder Xabi Alonso. Speaking following the Reds 1-1 draw against Thailand in Bangkok yesterday, the defender said:

"The feeling within the squad, he is a top player and you do not want to lose your top players and hopefully it can be sorted out as quickly as possible," reports Sky Sports.

"If the club thinks it is in the best interests of the club sometimes you have to do what is in the best interests of the club.”

"But that's a personal matter for the manager and the club. We all go through these situations - well hopefully not me - and as I said, I just hope it gets sorted out sooner rather than later."

Meanwhile the Mail claims Real Madrid have raised their offer to £30million for the Liverpool midfielder.

“Sources in Spain say Liverpool have relented following the significantly improved bid,” says the story.

“The Reds will hold out for a little bit more, but are said to be willing to negotiate.”

“Alonso has made his feelings to known to Benitez and, meanwhile, Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow has been in talks with Madrid.”

“The Spain star sat out Liverpool's friendly against Thailand on Wednesday but his representatives said there was nothing suspicious about his absence and that Alonso was suffering with a sprained ankle,” states the article.

Alonso himself was non-committal at a public appearance in Bangkok, when asked if he would remain at Liverpool, Alonso replied: "It's difficult to give any guarantees. For now, I'm just enjoying myself in Thailand."

Carragher explains Arbeloa row

Jamie Carragher has explained the bust up he had with fellow defender Alvaro Arbeloa during the West Brom game. The incident occurred following a goal scoring opportunity by the Baggies and fellow Liverpool team mates had to separate the duo.

Explaining the confrontation to the official site, Carragher said “We can't win the league now but there are a number of targets we can aim for. We want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the third season running. Pepe is one behind Van der Sar now and there's a chance Van der Sar won't play next week, so we wanted to make sure he got a clean sheet today.

"To be honest we were a bit lackadaisical in our defending all through the game and they had too many chances.

"Maybe we took it a bit too easy and let them attack us too much, but that was one of the toughest games I've played in all season. We go all over Europe playing top teams and we play against the best sides in this country, but that was one of the hardest games we've had."