Andy Carroll banking on Spurs slip as Liverpool man eyes European charge

08 April 2011 08:01
Striker Andy Carroll acknowledges Liverpool need Tottenham to make a mistake if the Reds are to catch their rivals in the race for European qualification but he remains confident of their chances.[LNB]Kenny Dalglish's side trail fifth-placed Spurs by five points and the Londoners have a match in hand, although they do still have to come to Anfield next month.[LNB]Liverpool would have given themselves a much better chance of turning up the pressure had they not lost at West Brom last week but Carroll said the team have moved on from that surprise defeat.[LNB] Aiming high: Andy Carroll is confident Liverpool can nick a European place[LNB]'Everyone has been lively in training,' said the ?35million January signing. 'All of the lads are still confident we can get into fifth and get there (Europe). 'We just need a slip up to go for us and to keep working hard and getting three points week in, week out.[LNB]'We're looking forward to the next game against Manchester City (on Monday) now and putting West Brom behind us. 'They've got great players all-round and they've got some England boys in there that I was away with last week.[LNB]'But if we stick together like we can do, we can go out there and beat them.'[LNB]Dalglish is likely to discover today the extent of the groin injury sustained by captain Steven Gerrard last Friday, just as he was preparing to return to action after an operation on a similar problem.[LNB] Duck breaker: Carroll has scored for England this season but is yet to find the net for Liverpool[LNB]He has already had mixed injury news this week, with centre-back Daniel Agger ruled out for the rest of the season after damaging a knee tendon at the Hawthorns and Glen Johnson sidelined for a month with a hamstring strain.[LNB]However, Fabio Aurelio has returned to training after nearly a month out with a hamstring problem while Jonjo Shelvey's recovery from a knee operation in February saw him get a run out for the reserves on Monday.[LNB]'We've had a strange week really, a 3pm kick-off at West Brom on Saturday and then a free week but the boys are still training well and preparing,' said the Reds boss. 'If there is anyone with a couple of bumps and bruises then it gives them the opportunity to get rid of them and be fit, but the way our luck is going at the moment we'll probably pick something up in training on Sunday morning.[LNB] Deadly duo: Luis Suarez, as well as Carroll, must find his shooting boots soon[LNB]'I don't know whether it's beneficial or detrimental because after a defeat you want to get back out there and play a game as quickly as you can just to get the taste out of your mouth.[LNB]'We've not had that opportunity but we've had the opportunity of getting Jonjo Shelvey fitter with his outing for the reserves and having Fabio Aurelio back.[LNB]'The players were disappointed to lose the game at West Brom but they have trained really well, so we'll get ourselves ready and the closer we get to Monday's game the more preparation we will do.'[LNB] Carroll aiming to break Liverpool duck as link-up with Suarez shows promiseIn it to win it: Liverpool owner Henry targets Premier League titleAngel Gabriel! Liverpool striker Suarez reveals Batistuta as his inspirationAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson, Fabio Aurelio, Andy Carroll, Daniel Agger Places: Liverpool, United Kingdom, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail