Carra: Time to get tough - Echo

Liverpool Echo, 29 Sept 2004
Carra: Time to get tough
By Chris Bascombe In Athens, Liverpool Echo

JAMIE CARRAGHER admits Liverpool will only cure their travel sickness by
showing more character away from home.

The Reds suffered their third consecutive away defeat last night,
performing poorly in the 1-0 loss to Olympiakos.

Carragher, (pictured), one of few players to emerge with any credit from
the match, said the players must be braver and restore some of the
qualities which made the Reds so tough to beat in Europe.

"Under Gerard Houllier our problem was our form at home. It's reversed at
the moment," said Carragher.

"No-one can really put their finger on why. We couldn't work out our
problems at home over the last few years, and now it's the same away.

"We need to sort it out quickly because we've two away games coming up in
the Premiership.

"We had a good record away under the last manager because we were solid.

"Maybe we we're tougher in certain areas but now we're better on the eye at
home.

"It's all about finding the right balance. We haven't quite got it. We
never had it under the last manager at home. That isn't a problem now, it's
away where we've got to get it right."

Carragher pointed to specific qualities which you need to show far more on
your travels.

He added: "You've got to be more of a team away from home because you're
under the cosh and decisions will go against you.

"They have the crowd with them too, but I don't think that should matter. I
don't see why you should play any differently.

"It's eleven versus eleven, the same sized pitch and the same ball. We've
got to be men. You've just got to show more character. You've got to have
people wanting the ball and making more challenges.

"You see the real characters in the team when you're away.

"We didn't perform. Olympiakos were fighting for the ball a lot better than
us, showing more character and aggression. It's disappointing that's how
the game went. Everyone has to take greater responsibility, including myself."

Despite the loss, the defender believes Liverpool are still in a good
position to reach the last 16.

"It's still early days in the group. I'm still confident we'll get
through," he said.

"It's only one defeat out of the six games so far. Whatever the result,
we're still in it. We play everyone twice so we've got to look to beat
Olympiakos at Anfield now.

"If we beat every team in the group once, we've still got a great chance.

"We've three points on the board, so if we can get another four from our
next two games, we'd be delighted.

"But if we play like that against Chelsea or anyone else, they'll punish us
even more. I'm confident in the manager and the players and we'll put up a
much a better performance than last night on Sunday."