Jamie Carragher calling for character

Liverpool have found goals hard to come by in recent weeks, having now netted just 13 in their last 11 outings.

Tellingly, hamstring problems have meant last season's leading scorer Torres has started just three games during that period.

And with the Spaniard expected to be sidelined for at least another fortnight, Carragher admits the rest of the Liverpool team must start contributing a greater return in front of goal.

"We all need to step up," he said. "Sami Hyypia had the best chances against West Ham. It's important we spread it around, it's something we have got to do, we can't just rely on the strikers to score.

"You have to defend as a team but you also have to attack as one. Even if you win games two or three-nil you're still going to miss Fernando Torres.

"He's one of the best strikers in the world so you're always going to miss him no matter what the results are like, but scoring goals is something we all have to sort out together. We are going through a bad spell and have to keep showing character."

Since initially going top with victory at Chelsea in October, Liverpool have won only three of their subsequent six Premier League games and have scored just six times in their last six home encounters in all competitions.

But Carragher is concentrating on the positive of just one defeat in 24 games this season, and said: "Yes, we're going through a rough spell as Chelsea are but there are positives to take. We would have expected to take those extra four points from the Fulham and West Ham games but we're still there.

"At some point in every season you're going to have a rough spell. It's not down to complacency. We're not playing well but we're not getting beat. We're a difficult team to beat."
Jamie Carragher calling for character