Carragher fears Cup upset

Jamie Carragher says Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round match against Brighton is of massive’ importance’ for Liverpool and will be a stern test.

Championship side Brighton arrive at Anfield this weekend seeking to claim a major scalp in the form of the Merseyside giants.

Veteran defender Carragher knows better than to underestimate lower-league opposition in the FA Cup, having seen Liverpool eliminated at the hands of second-tier Burnley in 2005.

“There are no easy games in the FA Cup – I could tell you that from the teams we’ve been knocked out by over the years,” Carragher told the club’s official website.

“We’ve had some bad results against lower-league opposition, but that’s what makes the FA Cup what it is. That’s why it’s so special when you do win it because you realise the pitfalls along the way.”

“It would be disappointing if we were to go out having knocked Manchester United out of the last round.”

“It’s a massive game for us and if we win we’ll be into the quarter-finals, and if you do well there then you’re at Wembley.”

Centre-back Carragher has suffered more than one upset during his long career, with Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Reading all inflicting surprise defeats on Liverpool in knockout competition.

“Lower-league teams can play like they’ve got nothing to lose when they come to Anfield because they haven’t – they’ve got no fear and no worries,” he said.

“If they get beat they’re expected to lose.”

“For them it’s a win-win really, but we’re used to that. Most teams we play at Anfield will approach the game like that and there’s always pressure on us to produce at home – and rightly so.”

Carragher’s hopes Liverpool’s 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Brighton in September will stand the team in good stead heading into Sunday’s match.

“We’ve beaten them before and we would expect to win with the game being at Anfield, but it certainly won’t be easy,” he said.

“The football they played was outstanding for a team at that level.”

“You don’t normally expect that, but that’s great credit to their players and also to the manager Gus Poyet for what a great job he’s done.”

“They’re a very good footballing team and keep possession of the ball well, and that’s something we’ll have to try and stop at Anfield.”