Carragher fires title warning

United's 2-0 loss to Fulham on Saturday was swiftly followed by Liverpool's 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa 24 hours later, a result which saw Rafael Benitez's side move to within a point of the leaders at the summit.

"This will have sent a message out to United and Chelsea," said the 31-year-old. "Let's not kid ourselves, they'd have been watching the game."

Liverpool's bulldozing display at Anfield came after comprehensive wins over United and Real Madrid in domestic and European competition respectively, and Carragher believes his side are coming into form at just the right time.

"When you play Real Madrid and Manchester United and score so many goals, you know in the back of your mind that can't happen every week so to get five against Villa was a magnificent achievement," Carragher said.

"If we'd have dropped points against Villa, United's defeat at Fulham wouldn't have made that much of a difference but we've capitalised on it. Now United will realise they are in a fight for the league."

Carragher believes Liverpool have recovered well from a wobble at the turn of the year which saw United displace them at the Premier League summit.

"We are maturing and getting used to the demands of fighting for a title," he said. "We were there earlier in the season but, having not been in that position before, maybe we didn't know how to deal with it.

"We've probably found it difficult a few times this season to cope with that.

"We're well aware that the title is in Manchester United's hands, but we're trying to put them under as much pressure as possible."