Carra lauds ex-Red Murphy

Ex-Reds star Danny Murphy found the back of the net as Fulham secured a stunning 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the last round of league fixtures before the international break.

It's a scoreline that allowed Rafa Benitez's side to go within a point of table toppers United, courtesy of the 5-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield the following day, and Carragher was thankful for the assistance of his one-time club-mate.

"I sent Danny a text before the game to wish him luck and another one afterwards to say thank you," the Reds' vice-captain revealed to Liverpoolfc.tv.

"He did us a favour, but it's up to us to capitalise now."

Having won nine games at home this season, United aren't the only scalp Fulham have taken at Craven Cottage, with Arsenal and Chelsea also failing to record victories there.

Carragher is well aware of the danger posed by Roy Hodgson's men and, in particular, the menace of former Kop idol Murphy.

"Danny has probably been Fulham's best player this season along with Brede Hangeland at the back," said Carragher.

"I think with Danny being captain and playing more of a holding role now, he's organising the people around him.

"He's got great experience, so we know it will be difficult, but it's up to us to try and pin him down and stop him playing because I think he makes Fulham tick.

"Chelsea only drew at Craven Cottage, they defeated Arsenal there earlier on in the season and we couldn't beat them at Anfield so we're talking about a very tough game for us, but we've got to make sure we're not another big team to drop points there."

United's defeat at Fulham came on the back of Liverpool's 4-1 demolition job at Old Trafford, but Alex Ferguson's charges still have a game in hand over the chasing pack.

However, with United not in action until Sunday against Villa, a win in South London for the Reds will see them go top of the league on Saturday evening.

"We've got an opportunity to go top of the league with United playing Sunday and it's one we've got to take," added the defender.

"We've got to try and pick up three points in every game and try to catch United. A draw is probably not a great result, even though we can go top with a point because of the goal difference.

"When the game is finished on Saturday, we want to be top of the league."

The 31-year-old believes it's vital the Reds try to take maximum points from their remaining fixtures and attempt render United's extra game meaningless.

He said: "You wouldn't have expected United to lose two games on the bounce. That's the way the title race is in England, though.

"Every game is very difficult and it just goes to show how well we've done this season when United loose two games in a week, but we've only lost two league games all season.

"United still have game in hand, but between now and then our aim is to try and win every game so their extra game doesn't count."

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