Saturday, February 20, 2010

Carra: Duo Made The Difference


Jamie Carragher hailed the impact of Ryan Babel and Daniel Pacheco after the duo came off the bench to play a major role in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Unirea Urziceni.

With the Reds searching for a vital goal, Dutch international Babel provided the cross which Pacheco intelligently headed across to David Ngog to net at the Kop end.

"Ryan and Dani did very well when they came on and made a big contribution for the goal," the Reds No.23 told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"They gave us a bit of a lift and more energy and that's what we needed. They made the difference."

Pacheco is training regularly with the first team squad at Melwood and Carragher believes the Spaniard has the talent to enjoy a bright Anfield future.

"Pacheco came on tonight and did well again," he added.

"He's a good lad as well and all of the lads get on with him very well. We are delighted for him to get his first team chance which he deserves."

The Reds will carry a slender lead to Bucharest for next Thursday's second leg and the vice-captain insists the team are confident of completing the job and qualifying for the last 16.

"In Europe you never want to concede a goal so we have to be pleased with that," he said.

"We would have liked to have scored a few more goals and kill the tie off but it's still alive now and it will be a difficult game over there.

"They were very organised and we have to give them credit for that. It's up to us to try and break them down and in the end we did.

"It would have been nice to get a few more but hopefully we can get an away goal and finish the game off next week."

Rafael Benitez's side now head to Eastlands on Sunday for a top-four clash with rivals Manchester City and Carragher is hoping the team don't make it as hard work as last season's dramatic win, when the Reds came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

"It was a good win for us in the end but we don't want to be in that situation again when we find ourselves 2-0 down at half-time," he added.

"Hopefully we can get the three points and we go there with confidence.

"It's a big game. They are looking to establish themselves in the top four and we want to get there as well so it's all to play for."

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