Carragher insists: “We can handle it”

LIVERPOOL embark on their fifth game in 15 days today with defender Jamie Carragher insisting: “We can handle it.”

The Reds expect to give new €10 million man Peter Crouch his club debut in a friendly against Olympiacos in Liechtenstein as they build-up to Tuesday’s crucial Champions League second qualifying round first leg away to Lithuanian champions Kaunas.

It is the beginning of a vital week for the European champions in which they will know next Friday who their likely opponents will be in the third qualifying round - the gateway to the lucrative group stages.

By the time the draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland, Liverpool will hope they are far enough ahead against Kaunas to be able to concentrate on the tie that could open the way to €29m of UEFA riches.

But Carragher, Liverpool’s player of last season, is not bothered about the extra workload.

By the time the opening Premiership fixture comes around on August 13, Liverpool will have already played eight matches.

Carragher said: “If we weren’t playing these Champions League qualifiers we would have no doubt have been playing games somewhere else so I don’t think it matters that much.

“Either that or doing extra training and I know what I prefer.”