Carra calls for character

Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool need to display a collective show of character in order to reignite their season.

Despite dominating the first-half, the Reds were left frustrated by a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.

Dirk Kuyt fired the home side into a deserved lead four minutes before the break, but a second-half own-goal by Glen Johnson and an Andrey Arshavin strike saw the Gunners claim victory.

Carragher accepts Liverpool were unfortunate not to take something from the game, but insists Rafa Benitez's side must now put the result behind them and pull together ahead of Wednesday's Anfield clash with Wigan Athletic.

"We started off well in the first half and should have had a penalty but you have to give credit to Arsenal, they're a top side," he said.

"The manner of the goals we conceded were unfortunate but other than them scoring, I can't remember them having too much else, which is why it is so hard to take.

"We've just got to dust ourselves down now and move to Wednesday. For the quality of the players and the stature of the club, we should be doing better.

"Statistics can change quickly and we have got to do that. It's tough at the moment but part of playing for Liverpool is having big character.

"That's what we need now. Between now and May it is going to be a grind at times but we have got to stick together, get through it and, as I'm doing, pray to God that at the end of the season there will be something worthwhile for what we've gone through."

Liverpool were left aggrieved by the decision of referee Howard Webb to wave away strong penalty claims after Steven Gerrard was sent tumbling in the area by William Gallas during the first-half.

Carragher, however, feels the Reds must not search for excuses and instead should take each game as it comes to ensure they return to winning ways sooner rather than later.

"We can't look for excuses," said the vice-captain. "That's the way it is at top level football - we know that any little thing can get pounced up and that's happening at the moment.

"Wigan is a massive game for us. I've tried too many times down the years trying to work things out, so there's no point looking further ahead than that.

"We'll just try and get three points on Wednesday and then move on to Portsmouth. We've got to look at ourselves and realise that we've got to do much better.

"There's still some lads who aren't 100 per cent fit yet, so there'll be improvement to come but we need to get this team playing regular."