Carragher: I need to find my level

A day before the crucial clash with Sunderland, Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher looks back at the Reds stuttering start of the season. `I need to get back to my normal level.`

The Reds` rock in defence Jamie Carragher hasn`t reached his normal (high) standard this season, prompting some to suggest the 31-year-old’s career is in decline.

Carra told LFC Weekly Magazine he has no problem with criticism and is adamant his age has not contributed to his poor form this term.

`Criticism is part and parcel of football. And, to be honest, we probably deserve it. As one of the top teams in the country, it hasn’t been good enough from Liverpool so far this season,` Carragher said.

`I need to get back to my normal level. Maybe some of the other players at the back need to also. We need to work out how we can improve.

`I’ve got no problem with the criticism if it’s due, which it is now. We all enjoy it when things are going well and we’re getting a pat on the back. If you’re getting criticised when it’s not going well, that’s par for the course.`

The veteran defender dismisses any talk of his age being a factor for his recent weak form.

`What will happen with me now is that every time I have a bad game people will mention my age, whereas before it was just a case of me having a bad game.

`I look after myself very well, it’s just that when things aren’t going well for you, nothing goes well.`

`Like against Chelsea. I thought I played well, but then I made a mistake at the end for the second goal. If I hadn’t made that mistake, everyone would be saying I’d played well.

Carragher is confident Liverpool can still compete for the title.

`It’s not a massive gap. I’m, sure we can cut it. It was six points the other week, but by the time we played Chelsea it was three. If we’d have beaten them, we’d have been top.

`That shows how easily it can turn.`