Biggest League Match Of My Life, Declares Carragher

Jamie Carragher has billed tomorrow's Anfield showdown with Blackburn as “the biggest league game of my career”.

But boss Rafa Benitez will have to decide whether or not to gamble on Steven Gerrard’s fitness for a match which could take the Reds back on top of the table – at least until Manchester United meet Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later in the day.

Carragher is in no doubt about the enormity of the occasion.

“I’m not just saying this because of what happened against Chelsea the other night but the league has always been the priority for everyone at the club,” said the Reds defender.

“In the 13 years I have been involved in the first team this will be the biggest league game I’ve played in – it really is that important.

“If we win we can go top of the league with just six games to go and if someone would have told us that we would be in this position when the season started we would have all been delighted.

“This is a massive chance for everyone at the club and I’m sure the fans will create a great atmosphere because they know what is at stake.”

Chelsea’s victory in the Champions League on Wednesday was the first time the Reds have been beaten by a fellow member of the big four this season.

Carragher added: “Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up and say that the other team played well on the night and this was one of those occasions.

“But it’s important to remember that we’ve now played them and Man United five times this season and we’ve won four of those games.

“That’s a record we can be proud of even though we are obviously disappointed about what happened the other night.

“We’ve played more than 40 games in the Premier League and the Champions League – the two biggest competitions – and we’ve only lost three times and one of the most important things is that when we have lost we’ve tended to respond in the right way by going on good runs.

“That’s what we’ll be looking to do again and no-one should be too downhearted about what happened against Chelsea because they are a good side who did well on the night and we’ve still got a hell of a lot to play for.

“The incentive is there for us to go back on top of the league and it may only be for a few hours until United play but you never know it could even be for longer than that.

“That’s how big this game is and that’s why I honestly believe it’s the biggest we’ve had in the league since I’ve been at the club and maybe for even longer than that.”

Skipper Gerrard's involvement is in doubt, however, after a scan yesterday revealed a minor groin strain. Though the injury is not considered serious it will need to be managed to ensure it does not become a bigger problem.

Should Gerrard be pitched in against Blackburn then it would be something of a calculated gamble by the Liverpool manager.

Benitez was set to discuss the situation with his captain and Liverpool’s medical staff today.