We can finish fourth says Carra

JAMIE CARRAGHER today insisted Liverpool possess the strength of character to shrug off their disappointment at Old Trafford and get their push for the top four back on track.

The Reds squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to make a statement against Manchester United yesterday as they lost 2-1 despite Fernando Torres giving them an early lead.

With Manchester City and Tottenham - their rivals for the last Champions League spot - both winning at the weekend, the task facing Liverpool on the run in is hugely difficult. Carragher, though, has warned anybody who thinks Liverpool are out of the reckoning now that they have dropped down to sixth place to think again.

He is adamant there will still be plenty of twists and turns in the coming weeks and, having studied the fixture list, is confident Liverpool can still make their presence felt.

"We have just got to recover from this as quickly as possible and get on a run of victories," said the Reds' vice-captain.

"We were playing against a top side yesterday and have run them close. It's really disappointing to lose, as there wasn't much between the sides in the game.

"You didn't see too many chances being created but we have lost and you have got to move on, as this was the most difficult fixture we had before the season end.

"Of course we believe we can still close the gap. They will both have difficult spells and we have got to make sure we take maximum points when they do.

"Maybe there will be more criticism of us now and at a club like Liverpool, the pressure is never off. Things are a bit more difficult but we have still got lots of points to play for."

Once Ji-Sung Park headed in front after Wayne Rooney's first-half leveller, Liverpool only threatened to score once in the final 30 minutes but Torres took an air shot.

"We did well to a certain point but we played last Monday, then again on Thursday and then had to come into this match," Carragher pointed out.

"The squad hasn't been strong enough for one reason or another this season but it was still a big ask to come here after that run, particularly as United had all week to prepare."

There is little doubt the game changed after referee Howard Webb awarded United a penalty when Javier Mascherano tangled with Antonio Valencia.

Television replays showed the incident took place initially outside the area, while Rafa Benitez claimed Valencia made the most of the incident.

Alex Ferguson, meanwhile, countered by saying Mascherano should have received a red card as Valencia would have been "too quick" for Carragher, who was the last man.

"It was never a sending-off," Carragher said. "It took place outside the box and I think I would have got there! Pepe (Reina) was unlucky when he saved (Rooney's) penalty but it bounced back to him."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.