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Carragher predicts top four changes

Paul Walker,Pa
Friday 11 September 2009 10:42 BST
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Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher prepares for Burnley's first league visit to Anfield tomorrow for 33 years insisting that the top four this term could be very different from usual.

Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have hogged the Champions League spots for the last four seasons but Carragher is expecting change.

He said: "The top four places will certainly be up for grabs, but we want to make sure we are up there. With the other teams becoming involved hopefully they will take points off the other big sides as well."

And Carragher believes Manchester City will maintain their challenge throughout the season, saying: "They have got some great players, world-class players and I am sure they will be buying more in January, so they are going to be a massive threat."

For Liverpool, after two defeats already this term, to re-establish their threat they must overcome a confident Burnley, back in the top flight for the first time since the 1975-76 season when they lost 2-0 at Anfield with David Fairclough scoring both goals.

The Reds could have full-back Fabio Aurelio returning to the squad after knee surgery, and the Brazilian warns that it is against similar sides to Burnley that Liverpool squandered too many home points last term.

Last season, Liverpool dropped points at home against promoted sides Stoke and Hull, but Aurelio insists lessons have been learned.

Aurelio says: "We have to learn from the mistakes last season at home that cost us points.

"Hopefully that won't be the case this season and we can get the three points which is very important for us.

"Burnley have surprised everyone and have done really well. We know it will be a hard game because when teams come here they play deep and narrow and it's always difficult to break them down.

"We have to work hard and score as soon as we can and take control of the game. We are playing at home and we have to show we are stronger than them.

"It can be difficult playing against a side who put 11 players behind the ball but we have been working hard in training on this. We have to move the ball quicker and create more opportunities to score.

"We lost some home points last season which cost us the title in the end. Hopefully this season we can fight for the title again."

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