Jamie Carragher accepts Liverpool might not win the Premier League next season, but he is desperate for the team to at least be in the hunt come next May.
The Reds are often tipped to provide the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea with stiff competition for the title only to slip out of contention before the final straight.
Carragher knows the team have underachieved league-wise after going 19 years without title success and believes the time has come for the team to still be in with a shout of becoming champions at the crunch end of the season.
Although Liverpool have enjoyed success domestically in cup competitions and in Europe, Carragher is desperate for a Premier League winner's medal to complete his collection.
"People always talk about us pushing for the league, but to be honest it isn't very often that we've even challenged," he told the club's official website.
"If we were challenging with 10 or 15 games to go then who knows? But just a challenge this season would be nice, to still be in the hunt.
"I think it's only happened once since I've been in the team, when I played a few games under Roy Evans. We probably should have won the league but let it slip towards the end.
"I'd take a title medal over anything else at the moment because that would make my full set, but I just want to be competitive in the league."
Your Comments
nandolove
"I remember that season Carra's on about. Also one around 2002 or so under GH. Getting so excited in March thinking it was actually possible then we f****d it. Having supported the reds since 1991 or so, I've never known a true challenge for the title apart from this. So... let's see. No bold predictions and I don't think it's likely but let's keep in there, say 5 points from top, til February, and take it from there. If Rafa gets in Keano and others in his sights let's see. In Rafa we trust."
IvIark
"Fair enough to Carra, he may be a detestable scouser but at least he's being more realistic than the rest of them rather than saying "this is our year" every year."
rpw37uk
"If a Liverpool player comes out and says 'We can win it', its 'delusion'. If a Liverpool player comes out with a more down-to-earth appraisal, its 'giving up'. That would be the opposite of a win-win situation, wouldn't it? You pr*cks."
Nilsatis
"Oh please. Stop with the LFC baiting, it only annoys them. To the halfway sensible RS on here, I'll suggest that you have as good a chance as ever, but are still some distance away from the Mancs and the Pikeys. The upside is that your squad is way better than any of the 5th to 8th mob, us included. So 3rd or 4th. And to the usual idiotic RS, I raise a middle finger and say 'suffer'."
Unspecial_One
"well done carragher!! no doubt a very realistic statement.. rather than all the bullshit and end up fighting for CL spot way before the new year!!"
UltimaRed
"we are alot closer than most people would make out its a case of takeing the smaller teams to pieces which is why we now have attacking full backs in Degen and Dossena. remember we lost less games than Man United"
TheButcher
"what exactly should these players be saying? They say they're going to challenge, they're deluded. They say they a challenge would be a nice change and they have given up already. Do you want these lads to say nothing at all? Your website wouldn't last long then."
Aradi
"Look Pool, nothing's going to happen until the players show real hunger and desire to win the trophy. We've seen that hunger three seasons ago in the Champions League but never in the League. What's more, the players don't think they are up to it. They are scared sh*t of ManYoo and are sometimes just too casual playing the lower teams. In Merseyside is the best striker and DM in the world, apart from that they dont really have as much quality as Chelsea/Arsenal/ManYoo, so they just have to work harder. Anyways, we all know that's not going to happen as the league is Arsenal's!"
CheshireRed
"Does anyone see a single reason to suspect Liverpool will be serious challengers this season? Not me. Torres will be going some to repeat last seasons goals total and Gerrard seems to be getting evermore frustrated, as his career dwindles away without a PL title medal in sight. Gareth Barry? Decent player yes, but the breakthrough signing? I'm thinking no. Beyond the first 15 players they have no real strength in depth, and no surplus cash either, illustrated by Rafa having to flog Crouch and Alonso to generate new transfer funds. They don't have a hope in hell of overhauling either United or Chelsea, and certainly wont out-football the Gooners, who will probably actually improve as a team if they offload Adebeyor. In fact, far from breaking into a title challenge, Liverpool had better be aware that the chasing pack is as near to them as they are to the top spot. Beware an angry Aston Villa, who will be the dark horses this season,with the double-pronged attack of Martin O'Neil and a vibrant young English-player dominated team. They should be treated with more respect than at any time over the last ten years. Everton, Citeh and Spurs will also all make seriously belligerent efforts. I see this coming season being a belter, and there may be a couple of serious surprises in store, not least seeing Liverpool astound their fans by finishing outside the top six. Champions; United. Runners-up; Arsenal Third; Chelsea Fourth; Villa Fifth; Spurs Sixth; Citeh. Seventh; Liverpool. EDITORS; delete the first post please, as got Liverpool wrong! Cheers. "
CheshireRed
"Does anyone see a single reason to suspect Liverpool will be serious challengers this season? Not me. Torres will be going some to repeat last seasons goals total and Gerrard seems to be getting evermore frustrated, as his career dwindles away without a PL title medal in sight. Gareth Barry? Decent player yes, but the breakthrough signing? I'm thinking no. Beyond the first 15 players they have no real strength in depth, and no surplus cash either, illustrated by Rafa having to flog Crouch and Alonso to generate new transfer funds. They don't have a hope in hell of overhauling either United or Chelsea, and certainly wont out-football the Gooners, who will probably actually improve as a team if they offload Adebeyor. In fact, far from breaking into a title challenge, Liverpool had better be aware that the chasing pack is as near to them as they are to the top spot. Beware an angry Aston Villa, who will be the dark horses this season,with the double-pronged attack of Martin O'Neil and a vibrant young English-player dominated team. They should be treated with more respect than at any time over the last ten years. Everton, Citeh and Spurs will also all make seriously belligerent efforts. I see this coming season being a belter, and there may be a couple of serious surprises in store, not least seeing Liverpool astound their fans by finishing outside the top six. Champions; United. Runners-up; Arsenal Third; Chelsea Fourth; Villa Fifth; Spurs Sixth; Liverpool"
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