Liverpool Look Upwards

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Liverpool believe they have exorcised their Manchester United demons and proved they can be genuine title candidates.
One win does not turn under-achievers into world-beaters overnight.
But when that win is a 2-1 success over the champions of Europe and England, Liverpool can be forgiven for feeling on top of the world as they head into their Champions League group opener in Marseille on Tuesday.
Such has been their catalogue of horrors against United in recent years, it is no surprise that the likes of Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard believe Saturday's effective, deserved Anfield victory can set the club up for the season.
The local heroes in Liverpool's multi-national squad understand more than most the pain at Anfield from Manchester United's march to within just one the club's record number of title triumphs.
Carragher has voiced cutting views into all aspects of the club's problems in his newly-published autobiography.
He has criticised the owners for being ruthless and boss Rafael Benitez for risking all in taking on the Americans, while also questioning the foreign invasion and the impact on the club's academy.
It would be incendiary stuff from anyone, but Carragher is probably the only player who could seemingly get away with criticism of his bosses in public with impunity.
But dare anyone doubt his loyalty and passion.
On Liverpool's current unbeaten run this term, he said: "The win over United puts us near the top of the league and it proves to the supporters that we can challenge for the title.
"I hope that is the message that people feel we are sending out. You can feel the belief and the confidence amongst the players that we can do it.
"It is a long season, but this will give us confidence that we can keep it going.
"United have world-class players and beforehand they were favourites. But we have risen to the challenge and credit should go to all the players.
"We showed character. United were great at the back last season, so for us to recover from going a goal behind and win like that is very pleasing."
United were ahead early on through Carlos Tevez, and had Liverpool on the rack for the first half-hour.
But a calamitous own goal from Wes Brown put them back into the game and the second period was only going to produce one deserved winner.
United were poor after the break. Pinned back, they defended, claims boss Sir Alex Ferguson, "like a Conference side".
Eventually substitute Ryan Babel grabbed a winner 23 minutes from time and there was only the red card for Nemanja Vidic for United to reflect on after that.
Steven Gerrard got into the action late on and said: "It was a great win but the most pleasing thing was the performance.
"They got an early goal and that was a blow, but the reaction from our side, the character shown and workrate, produced a lot of positives. We got even stronger.
"When you get a win against the best side in the league you know it will put you in good stead for the future. We realise it is only early days and of course it does not mean we will go on and win the league.
"Now the belief will be there when we go away to the other top sides like United and Chelsea because they know we are capable of beating them.
"We are only a few games in, but we believe we can be in the hunt come March and April. It means so much to the supporters, we want it really bad and the fans can see that.
"I would also like to say a word for Xabi (Alonso), this has been a very difficult time for him right up to the transfer window shutting.
"He didn't know whether he was coming or going, but he got man of the match against United and that says a lot about him."
Ferguson was scathing of United's disappointing display, having won the previous five league games against Liverpool.
And captain Rio Ferdinand also did not mince words.
He said: "We never really got started. For the opening spell, we looked decent and passed the ball about well.
"But after that we did not get close to them and they managed to get two goals. They were fortunate on both occasions but I am sure they will be happy enough with that.
"All over the park they were first to the ball and you do not deserve to win if teams are doing that to you."
Ferguson will not forget this one in a hurry.
He said: "Our defending was poor, we had a bad day, but their equaliser was a scabby goal. However, overall they were far the better team.
"We started well, we scored a wonderful goal and (Dimitar) Berbatov could have had one even earlier.
"But that is the time when you should establish yourself. But Liverpool made us make mistakes with their effort and tackling, and we did not cope with that at all well."