LIVERPOOL v DEBRECEN

JAMIE CARRAGHER'S Liverpool future is secure despite his part in the Reds' miserable start to the season.

The former England star was criticised by his own fans and boss as the usually mean Reds' defence conceded seven goals in three games against Spurs, Aston Villa and Bolton.

But Rafa Benitez says it's only a matter of time before Carragher shines again.

The Anfield boss said: "He likes to talk and help players, so it's important to have the right people around him. He can focus on his own game if he does not have to talk to others too much. The problem we have had is we have changed three centre-backs in a couple of months so it is not easy for him to play.

Crave

"Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have all played alongside him. Glen Johnson and Daniel Ayala have also come in. But once everyone is fit again and it settles down we will not have a problem in our defence."

Liverpool start their Champions League campaign against Hungarian champions Debrecen at Anfield on Wednesday, with Benitez knowing the fans crave the Premier League title even more than glory in Europe.

But he said: "We have to know that they are two massive competitions so both are important. If you are asking what is more important, both are more or less of the same level - but our fans would like to win the Premier League.

"We would be really pleased if we could do that but I don't think anyone would not want to win the Champions League. So we have to approach the competition thinking that it is massive, a big trophy, so we will try to win it from the first day."

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