1% BETTER.. 100% TITLE; LIVERPOOL SKIPPER'S CALL TO ARMS.

Byline: DAVID ANDERSON 

JAMIE CARRAGHER believes Liverpool will win the title if they can improve on last season's efforts by just one per cent.

They pushed Manchester United close last season, finishing just four points behind the champions, and their tally of 86 points was their best in the Premier League.

The Reds were the Premier League's top scorers, had the best goal difference and lost only two matches.

Carragher says their fine showing has given the players the belief to claim their first title since 1990 - if they can show just a small improvement.

"We all want to go a step further," said the Reds defender, speaking in Bangkok ahead of today's friendly with Thailand in the Rajamangala Stadium.

"We had a very good season in the league last year and we realise that if we can improve that by one or two per cent, that may be enough. That's what we're trying to do."

Carragher knows United and Chelsea will be strong contenders again, while also tipping mega-rich Manchester City to mount a challenge.

"We'll give it everything next season, but there are other very good teams in the league," he said.

"We took Manchester United very close last year and we realise them and Chelsea will come back, maybe Manchester City as well, so there will be a lot of competition.

"Hopefully the pre-season games will make sure we're ready for our first game against Tottenham and go one step further than we did last year." Boss Rafa Benitez hopes his side can take advantage of United losing star players Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.

He is bullish about Liverpool's prospects and feels pounds 17million England defender Glen Johnson has brought that extra quality they need.

"I'm sure that Manchester United will buy some players so they will be strong," said the Liverpool manager. "But we've really improved with Glen so hopefully we can be a little bit better and it will be enough. I think that every club in the Premier League is trying to improve. City is one of them, so you never know.

"I would like to be there at the top of the table and be contenders."

Benitez plans to use all of his squad in today's match with the Thais and the second game of their Asia tour in Singapore on Sunday now that all of his players have reported back for training.

And he is tipping Ryan Babel to establish himself in the team after two frustrating years since his pounds 11.5m move from Ajax.

Babel, 22, had been hankering after a move back home to Holland because of his lack of first-team opportunities, but Benitez feels the forward is finally showing signs that he is ready to deliver. "We have been really impressed with Ryan," he said. "He worked hard in the summer and he came back really fit.

"He's trying to do his best and that's very positive when you have a player with his talent. The first two years in a foreign country are always difficult. Now he has the right mentality I'm sure he will improve."

Fanatical Thai Reds, who have been wearing swine flu masks bearing the Liverpool club badge, are desperate to see Fernando Torres and Xabi Alonso in action today.

"The Spanish players have only trained for two days, so we will need to manage them carefully, especially in these conditions," he said. "But most of the squad will play some part in the game."

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WELCOME Carragher with Glen Johnson PUT YOUR SHIRT ON US Carra and Torres THAI HIGH Arbeloa leaps to avoid Voronin WEIGHTING GAME Jamie Carragher pumps iron on tour in Thailand