Jamie Carragher is adamant that Liverpool are in “good spirits,” despite underperforming and a spate of unlucky injuries.

Rafa Benitez's men clash with Mark Hughe's Manchester City after the international break, and the Liverpool centre-back insists a win will boost team morale by leaps and bounds.

"We haven't had that many players training due to the international break, plus the injuries at the club, but everyone's in good spirits," Carragher told liverpoolfc.tv.

"From a club point of view, if you're going to get injured the best time is maybe during an international break. At least it gives the medical staff time to work with the players and try and get them ready for the next match.

"Hopefully we can get everyone back and raring to go ahead of the Man City game.

"It is a massive test," he added. "They're probably looking at us and thinking they can maybe take our place in the top four because of the way we've started this season.

"It's up to us to show some fight and character to make sure that doesn't happen."