Liverpool have to lift themselves from the disappointment of the Champions League defeat by Monaco, courtesy a very controversial goal, and start preparing for Sunday's massive Premier League fixture against Arsenal. Today on givemefootball Brian Beard brings an EXCLUSIVE interview with Jamie Carragher ahead of the biggest game of the weekend.
Q:IT MUST HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTING TO LOSE TO MONACO IN THE DUBIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES OF A 'HANDBALL' GOAL?
A:We are all disappointed with the decision for the goal. I'm not sure where the referee was but everyone was appealing for handball. Even their manager said afterwards it was a clear handball. I think even Saviola has come out and admitted he handled the ball. I'm sure if the referee had seen it clearly he would have had to given handball, it was that obvious. Maybe he didn't see it as clearly as the rest of us and he's said he just felt it wasn't intentional handball.
Q:THE RESULT DOES MAKE THE GROUP DIFFICULT FOR LIVERPOOL DOESN'T IT?
A:Yes, it does and now means we have to beat Olympiakos, but at the start of the competition if you knew you would go into your last game having to win it to go through most teams would take that. Even though we've just had a disappointing result we know if we win 1-0 we go through so we have to look to keep a clean sheet in that game and score.
Q:SO, BASICALLY, CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PROGRESS IS NOW IN YOUR OWN HANDS?
A:That's what I mean. All three teams are pretty close there at the top of the group and I suppose La Coruna have been disappointing because everyone seems to have taken points off them, which has brought us all pretty close together. Ten points should normally be enough to get you through but our group is so close that you are definitely going to need at least ten points.
Q:WHAT ABOUT THE STRIKING SITUATION, AT LIVERPOOL,WHICH IS NOW CLEARLY A PROBLEM?
A:It's just unfortunate at the moment that we are very unlucky with injuries but credit to the manager because he hasn't used that as an excuse. He's just got on with it and he's said to us we have got other players here so it's up to them to take their chance. The injured players will come back and I'm sure we'll be in the market for a striker come January, so we just have to stick together and when those players do return, along with any we get in, hopefully it will fire us up the table.
Q:TALKING OF THAT YOU HAVE A PRETTY DECENT GAME ON SUNDAY?
A:Yes, Arsenal at home. It's a big game for both teams. Because Arsenal have been so successful everyone looks for a little chink in their armour at the moment. They have had a few bad results by their standards but one defeat in around 56 games is not bad. I think they would settle for that over the next 56 games!
Q:DOES ARSENAL'S BAD RUN MAKE CHELSEA FAVOURITES NOW?
A:Arsenal are having a bad run of form and dropping points whilst Chelsea are picking up on that after being five points behind at one stage. But Arsenal are only a couple of points behind so if they come out of that bad run I'm certain Chelsea will have little spell in the season when they have a bad run and Arsenal will be looking to capitalise on that. To go on a bad run and still be just two points adrift I think Arsenal will be pretty pleased with that.
Q:AS A DEFENDER YOU NOW PREPARE TO FACE THIERRY HENRY. A DAUNTING PROSPECT?
A:He has been a special player over the past few years and is probably the best player I have seen play in the Premiership with the stuff he has produced for Arsenal. When he is playing well I don't think you can defend against him because I think he is unplayable. He's not just quick but he is very strong as well and is a powerful man.
Q:WHAT MAKES HIM SO SPECIAL?
A:As well as the goals he scores, he is a very good creator of goals so Arsenal have got a special player in Thierry Henry. Obviously he's someone we have got to be looking to stop because if you stop Thierry Henry from playing well for Arsenal I think you stop 50 per cent of their attacking ability.
