Wolves target another upset at Liverpool

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admits he loves being a footballing giant-killer as his team look to topple Liverpool at Anfield for a second successive season in the Barclays Premier League tomorrow.

But McCarthy knows there will have to be a vast improvement on his team's showing in their last league outing against QPR six days ago - especially with captain Steven Gerrard back available for the Reds.

McCarthy is aware Liverpool are a more potent force now than when Stephen Ward's goal earned Wolves a shock 1-0 success on Merseyside last December, but insists he is not envious of the greater resources Kenny Dalglish has at his disposal.

He said: "I've enjoyed competing against people with far greater resources all through my career as a player and a manager.

"We'll go up there and try to upset the applecart and keep being a thorn in everyone's side if we can.

"Winning at Anfield was one of our best results of the season - never mind just away from home.

"They slapped us 3-0 in the return so they kind of made up for it. I'd love to have a similar result to what we had at Anfield but they have been playing well.

"It was a difficult game for them at the weekend when they had a couple of players sent off [in Sunday's 4-0 defeat] at Tottenham.

"But they have got some fabulous players and started the season superbly."

Gerrard returned to action in Wednesday's 2-1 Carling Cup victory over Brighton after being sidelined for six months with a groin problem.

Midfielder Charlie Adam and Martin Skrtel will also both be available again tomorrow after serving one-match suspensions in Wednesday's cup win for their red cards at White Hart Lane.

McCarthy is glad to see Gerrard back in action but wishes his return had been delayed until after the Wolves clash.

He said: "I'm thrilled he could face us. I wonder if we can get Graeme Souness and Phil Neal back as well. See if Kenny can come back and Rushy [Ian Rush]...

"I'm delighted they are getting all their best players back to play us and I'm thrilled the cup competition means Adam can play and Skrtel can play.

"Yes, I am pleased for Steven that he is back playing because I like him. He is a top player and a top bloke.

"But I don't want him playing against us. I don't want him making it any harder for me. No thanks."

McCarthy added: "Am I frustrated Liverpool can spend more than myself? Never ever. I think if you get like that, you end up being bitter and twisted and having resentments to everyone.

"I don't have that sort of feeling to anyone. I appreciate what I have and even more so what I get out of the team.

"That is the challenge - the challenge against Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, people who spend more on salaries and transfer fees.

"But some will be looking at us and thinking I'm the lucky one - and I believe I am."

McCarthy is treating last weekend's 3-0 home defeat by QPR as a one-off and received the response he expected, albeit from a much-changed side, in the 5-0 midweek Carling Cup win over Millwall.

He said: "The performance against QPR disappointed me but that doesn't make us a bad team or a bad group of players.

"I got the response I expected but if we don't play well, we are not going to win anything.

"We need seven out of 10s from players, not fours and fives. If we get that, we get beat."

Wolves skipper Roger Johnson and striker Steven Fletcher will both be available to McCarthy tomorrow after thigh and groin injuries.