Source: Liverpool_Echo
BLOOD RED: Pundits will be sorry to write Liverpool FC stalwart Jamie Carragher off
KNEE-JERK reactions are increasingly common in the modern game. It seems you are either a world beater or a no-hoper, the middle ground has never been smaller.[LNB]After the opening weekend defeat at Spurs, critics were queuing up to claim Liverpool would be consigned to a season of struggle without 'lynchpin' Xabi Alonso.[LNB]Fast forward five weeks and on the back of five successive wins the Spaniard barely merits a passing mention.[LNB]Steven Gerrard has a rare off night against Aston Villa and inquests are held on the airwaves into why he's 'lost his way'.[LNB]One swing of his right boot at Bolton and those same pundits are lauding the skipper as the greatest midfielder on the planet.[LNB]Fernando Torres goes two games without scoring and is said to be fatigued and in need of a rest.[LNB]A devastating two-goal burst at West Ham and Rafa Benitez is asked if Torres is now favourite for the Golden Boot.[LNB]This week it was Jamie Carragher's turn to be on the receiving end of some misguided flak from the 'experts'.[LNB]The 31-year-old centre-back didn't need to be told he wasn't at his best against the Hammers.[LNB]He had an off day in the capital but the fact that he was once beaten for pace by 20-year-old Jamaican speed merchant Javon Hines was seized upon as somehow proof that Father Time is catching up with him.[LNB]Former Reds striker Stan Collymore, who retired at the age of 30 having never fulfilled his own potential, was one of the first to stick the boot in.[LNB]'As much as I respect Jamie Carragher and everything he's done for Liverpool, I do think he's starting to dip,' he said.[LNB]'It makes me wonder if Rafa Benitez shouldn't take whatever transfer budget he will have in January and spend it all on a top quality centre-half.'
