LiveScore Daily: Carragher claims Reds not ready to win title

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Carra's concerns

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes the club must sign a holding midfielder and defender if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.

Luton held the Reds to a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road on Sunday, with Jurgen Klopp's visitors needing a 95th-minute equaliser from Luis Diaz to rescue a point.

Former defender Carragher said: "Liverpool still aren't as good as Manchester City at stopping counter-attacks.

"Opponents do seem to find spaces a lot more to attack and get in behind Liverpool. Luton didn't have the quality to really punish them, except for the goal we saw.

"Liverpool are not ready to win the league. Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool supporters know that right now.

"They want to get back into the top four. In terms of challenging again, I think they need a holding midfielder and a top-class defender."

Ramsdale opens up

Arsenal stopper Aaron Ramsdale has opened up about his mental health and claims he is not looking for media attention as he fights to earn his place in the starting XI back from David Raya.

The 25-year-old has not started a Premier League match since early September but did play in the Gunners' recent Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham.

Speaking as part of Gillette's Who's Your Mo Mate Movember campaign, he said: "Off the pitch is really good at the minute. If you've dropped form or it's for rotation as it is, you still doubt yourself and if you're doing the right thing, if you've still got the backing of your team-mates, the supporters.

"I've got my wife at home and I'm able to open up to her, David Brooks at Bournemouth, we still have our group chat and play on Xbox together.

"When I first joined Arsenal, David Seaman said to me 'when they don't talk about the goalie it means you've done well'.

"I'm not injured, I am just taken out of the team. I am not seeking attention and I am not seeking positivity."

England to host Brazil and Belgium

England will host Brazil and Belgium in two international friendlies ahead of next summer's Euro 2024.

The Three Lions will first play five-time World Cup winners Brazil on March 23 before welcoming Belgium to Wembley Stadium three days later.

On the upcoming fixtures, manager Gareth Southgate said: "I'm happy to have two strong matches in March as we build towards the Euro finals.

"It is important we take every opportunity to test ourselves against top opposition."

England remain unbeaten in qualifying for the Euros and Southgate is confident his side can get two positive results to boost their ranking ahead of next month's draw.

He added: "We can't afford to think the job is done as there is still work to do. Every second for us together in camp counts if we are to give ourselves the best chance of success next summer."

The perfect mentor

Manchester City prospect Rico Lewis has hailed the guidance he has received from his team-mates and manager Pep Guardiola.

The 18-year-old has made five Premier League appearances this season and caught the eye with a string of impressive performances for the Treble winners.

He said: "As a player, it's almost impossible not to develop around the best players and manager in the world. 

"At first, you get star-struck. Watching them from TV to sitting next to them in the changing room, it's quite amazing — but after a while, you speak to them. They are normal people. 

"I've learned so much [from manager Pep Guardiola], keeping focus 100% of the time. You can be punished in men's football for minor mistakes. 

"He's helped me in keeping that laser focus and having confidence in yourself but I've got to carry on doing what I can do."

Magpies flying

Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth believes the club are on an "upward trajectory" as he revealed their aims for the coming years.

The Magpies showed their strength again at the weekend, beating Arsenal in the Premier League and have already defeated Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League this season.

Ashworth said: "The next number of years is to fight and get into the top six on a regular basis and compete for trophies.

"Football is peaks and troughs, success has never been a straight line. I know it's a bit of a corny phrase but especially in the Premier League where anyone can beat anybody — things can happen really quickly.

"What's really difficult is to be able to compete commercially as well — some of those clubs have been a global brand for decades.

"We're on an upward trajectory but there are definitely some bumps in the road and that's the nature of football but we're on the right pathway."

Embrace your anger

Pep Guardiola admits he wants his players to be angry with him if they are not picked for Manchester City.

The Catalan head coach has been rotating between Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku on the left-hand side of his attack, with the latter scoring and grabbing four assists in Saturday's 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth.

Pep said: "I want Jack angry and I want him to play good and then Doku — be angry that he hasn't played the last two games. 

"This is the way to maintain the consistency at that level.

"As much as Jeremy and Jack perform, and I can play both at the same time, but when they don't, train better the next day because the moment is coming and when you are mentally there in the head you will perform well.

"Then we will win games and you will be happy and everyone will be happy. This is what we have to do."

Show some respect

Newcastle captain Jamaal Lascelles has revealed he was fuming after Jorginho refused to shake his hand after the match against Arsenal on Saturday.

The Magpies triumphed 1-0 at St James' Park but the match was full of controversy, although Lascelles believes that is no excuse not to shake your opponents' hands at the end of the game.

He said: "I'm just so glad that we beat them. Their captain Jorginho didn't want to shake my hand after the game.

"I was fuming, it's not on.‌ I would never refuse to shake an opposition captain's hand, no way.

"You can have as many arguments as you want on the pitch but shake hands at the end, it's part of the sport.

"For me, whatever happens on the pitch — handbags or whatever — you show sportsmanship and shake hands afterwards. He didn't do that, so I'm so glad we beat them. Players like that, I don't think it's acceptable."