Carra brushes off criticism

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists he has no problem with being criticised and is adamant his age has not contributed to his poor form this season.

Carragher has slipped below his usual high standard for the Reds this term, prompting some to suggest the 31-year-old's career is in decline.
 
There have been claims the former England international has lost a yard of pace and Carragher accepts his performances have not been up to scratch.
 
However, the long-serving centre-half is confident he can recapture his best form for Rafa Benitez's side and is not troubled by the questions being raised over his future. 
 
"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," said Carragher.
 
"I look after myself very well. It's just that when things aren't going well for you, nothing goes well.

"The best thing to do is try not to analyse it too much. You only end up beating yourself up over it. You've got to have confidence in your own ability and that you'll get back.
 
"I'm not playing well at the moment, I know that. It's up to me to turn that around. I've got the strength of character to put it right.
 
"The reason I've been here so long is because I can deal with it and have the character to do that."
 
He added: "I don't have a problem with being criticised in the press or on TV. Who knows what I'll be doing when I finish playing? That could be me talking about other players for all I know.
 
"In a strange sort of way, it's a compliment if you're playing for a big club and suddenly you start getting criticised. It means you must have been doing something right in the first place. Plus if no-one mentions it, you know that nobody's bothered about it.
 
"That's all part of being a Liverpool player. You have to have the character to deal with it."
 
The views expressed in this article are not necessarily the views of Liverpool Football Club.