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Carragher calls for Liverpool to push on

Jamie Carragher insists he is leaving Liverpool in good shape © PA Photos

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Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool are heading in the right direction, suggesting their fortunes have looked much more promising since the January signings of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.

Carragher, 35, will retire at the end of the season and insists he is leaving the club where he has spent his entire career in a positive position.

Three losses and two draws to start the season, along with the failed signing of Clint Dempsey and the departure of Andy Carroll, left things looking bleak at Anfield.

But the additions of Coutinho and Sturridge have given Brendan Rodgers' side cause for optimism heading into next season and Carragher believes momentum has swung Liverpool's way.

"Looking at the season I think if you remember the start it was difficult with the transfer window situation," Carragher said. "From the start we had a lot of young lads in there and it wasn't easy.

"The second half of the season there has been more experience and the manager has implemented his ideas more and you can see that in results in and around January-February time we went on a decent run.

"The manager made a couple of signings (striker Daniel Sturridge and midfielder Philippe Coutinho) in January which gave us a boost so we're showing positive signs but we have to take it into next season."

Liverpool's attack failed to fire in Sunday's 0-0 Merseyside derby draw with Everton, but Carragher preferred to focus on another clean sheet for the defence and goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

The Reds have kept their opposition goalless on 15 occasions this season, with only Manchester City (16) keeping more clean sheets.

"You want to score goals and keep clean sheets. Myself and Pepe (Jose Reina) have always enjoyed keeping clean sheets and breaking records," Carragher added. "I think only Manchester City are ahead of us (in clean sheets).

"But it is about coming together as a team and winning games, whether you keep clean sheets or score lots of goals the main thing is getting three points. We've kept a clean sheet but not scored. We'd have loved to have won 2-1 without keeping a clean sheet."

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