Carragher: Liverpool will challenge for title
The Reds are third in the table, 15 points behind Jose Mourinho's side, but their recent exertions in Tokyo mean they have two games in hand on their nearest rivals.
It remains to be seen how they cope with the mid-season tournament, which ended in a 1-0 defeat by Sao Paulo in Sunday's final, but Carragher insists the club's ambition remains as fierce as ever.
"We're definitely not down after the Sao Paulo defeat because we're doing well at the moment," he added.
"We want to challenge Chelsea. Manchester United have won a couple of games while we've been away and moved into second place.
"The aim at the start of the season was to try to push as close for the title as possible. There's still a long way to go and hopefully we can do that."
On St Stephen's Day Newcastle striker Michael Owen will return to Anfield for the first time since his move to Real Madrid, but Carragher insists Liverpool will not be making any special provision for the England star.
"It's not about just Michael. Hopefully he'll get a good reception because he deserves that, he was a great player for the club.
"But we've moved on and Michael's moved on. I know people will make a lot about his return but he doesn't play for Liverpool.
"He's just the same as any other player. We won't be changing our game to play against Michael.
"He's my mate and it's nice to see him doing well. But the main thing is Liverpool, we want to win and hopefully we will."
Owen is looking forward to his first trip back to Liverpool but admits it will be strange to walk into the away dressing room and find his team on the receiving end from the Kop.
"Obviously, when I knew I was coming back to the Premiership, you always think it will be strange to go back to your old club, and no doubt it will be when it comes," he said.
"I have a picture in my mind of what it will be like, and it will be very exciting seeing a lot of old friends."
Everton are desperate to halt their worrying slump at Aston Villa on St Stephen's Day over the last 12 months they have won only 11 of 35 Premiership games, losing 19.
That is relegation form, and Spanish midfielder Mikel Arteta said: "We have to try to think why we are doing badly. We are not scoring and we make so many mistakes.
"It's unbelievable and playing at home you feel even more disappointed. Now we have so many games coming up that are really important to us. We must be up for the next games and we must improve our performances."
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