Jamie Carragher admits big-spending Manchester City will be a threat

Sep 3 2008 By Richard Williamson

LIVERPOOL defender Jamie Carragher believes Manchester City's dramatic transfer deadline day transformation into one of the Premier League's biggest spenders could post a threat to the top four.

The Eastlands takeover by the Abu Dhabi United Group was followed immediately by the £33million signing of Brazilian striker Robinho from Real Madrid.

Carragher says manager Mark Hughes has managed to pull off an "amazing" transfer.

"I was watching the transfer news up until 12am to see what was going on. It was an amazing day," the 30 year-old told the club's official website.

"It's like an Abramovic-type thing there, you know. To come in and break the British transfer record in one day is pretty amazing. If they've got that type of wealth and they've got players like Robinho, one of the best players in the world, then it's something you have to think about."

However Carragher remains upbeat about prospects for the season at Anfield following the closing of the transfer window until Janaury. And he has welcomed the arrival of Spanish winger Albert Riera from Espanyol.

He said: "I remember him from City. It's something we've needed after losing John Arne Riise, Harry Kewell and Sebastian Leto. He's got a good left foot.

"The manager obviously knows him a lot better than us players because he has a good link with Paco Herrera, who used to be his coach at Espanyol. Hopefully he can add something that's been missing from the team."

Full back Steve Finnan left Anfield for Spain as part of the deal after five years on Merseyside, with Carragher paying a warm tribute to the departing Republic of Ireland international.

"He has been a great servant," said Carragher. "He and Markus Babbel have been the best full-backs I have played with at this club. He was part of Istanbul and getting us to Athens, as well as the 2006 FA Cup win.

"It was a great signing by Gerard Houllier and I think Steve can be very proud of his Liverpool career."

Meanwhile Carragher has revealed that an England defeat "never hurt me in the same way as losing with my club."

He retired from international football in July last year after complaining he was constantly being overlooked as a central defender for the national team. He won 34 caps, the last of which saw him miss a penalty as England went out of the 2006 World Cup against Portugal in a shootout.

However, Carragher wrote in ’Carra, My Autobiography’, serialised in the Daily Mirror: "Did I care we’d gone out of the tournament? Of course I did. Passionately.

"Despite this, whenever I returned home from disappointing England experiences one unshakeable, overriding thought pushed itself to the forefront of my mind, no matter how much the rest of the nation mourned.

"’At least it wasn’t Liverpool,’ I’d repeat to myself, over and over.

"The text messages of consolation I received on the coach included one from Kenny Dalglish.

"’I would rather miss for England than LFC,’ I wrote back.

"I confess: defeats wearing an England shirt never hurt me in the same way as losing with my club.

Les Lawson, of the Liverpool Supporters’ Club, backed Carragher’s stance.

"I agree with Carra. My only thought when international breaks come around is that I hope the players come back uninjured," he said.

"I couldn’t care less about England, I’m a Liverpool supporter. We are Scouse, not English!"

Lawson also admitted Liverpool fans would show some allegiance to Spain because of the large contingent of Spaniards at Anfield.

He said: "I have watched Liverpool reserves when England are playing. In fact, if England were playing Spain, you would probably find Liverpool fans supporting Spain."