Carragher: Liverpool must stay focused on title

FOR M E R L ive r pool de fe nde r Jamie Carragher insists nothing must get in the way of the club winning the Premier League this season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side currently have an eight-point advantage at the top of the table as they seek their first title for 30 years but they face playing 13 matches in 40 days when they restart their campaign at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The added complication of a Carabao Cup quarter-final with Aston Villa 24 hours before a Club World Cup semi-final in Qatar next month is not even worth considering according to the ex-Reds centre-back.

“I know a lot of Liverpool fans wouldn’t say this, and certainly the club couldn’t, but nothing can get in the way of Liverpool winning the league. Nothing,” he said.

“What I mean by that is do not play anyone in your first XI in that Carabao Cup team. Not one.

“If Liverpool win the league this year and find themselves in the same position next year, I wouldn’t be saying that.

“I’d probably be saying ‘We are Liverpool Football Club. We should try to win the lot’, but because it has been so long nothing can be allowed to get in the way of

Liverpool pushing on and winning the league.

“Klopp is already a legendary figure among the fans at Liverpool for delivering the European Cup but if he wins the league, you’re talking about (Bill) Shankly, (Bob) Paisley levels then.

“They can’t say these things but inside at training ground Melwood I’m sure these conversations are taking place.”