Mick McCarthy: 'Depleted Liverpool still a threat'

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes it would be "barmy" to write off Liverpool's top-four chances despite their injury problems.

The Reds, who visit Molineux on Tuesday, have improved their chances of securing a Champions League place for next season by taking 10 points from their last four games.

McCarthy was impressed with the way they moved back into contention via their home victory over Tottenham last week.

And, although he believes Rafael Benitez's side are not quite the same threat without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, who have both missed chunks of the season, McCarthy still feels they have plenty of quality in depth.

He said: "When Liverpool have no Gerrard and Torres they play exactly the same way but not quite as well as if Gerrard and Torres were playing.

"But I watched them against Spurs last week and they performed very well. It was a good professional performance.

"The team they put out that night was very solid and Dirk Kuyt, who got their two goals, was outstanding.

"To suggest that when Gerrard and Torres don't play means they are any less than a top-four team would be barmy.

"Let's not underestimate them just because they are missing those players."

Liverpool captain Gerrard could even be involved tomorrow, having made a decent recovery from a hamstring injury.

For Wolves, McCarthy is set to involve French midfielder Adlene Guedioura who joined on loan today from Charleroi.

He will link up with his Charleroi team-mate Geoffrey Mujangi Bia who also completed a temporary move from the Belgium club before the weekend.

McCarthy said: "We have been watching players abroad for 18 months and they were both highlighted by our scouting staff as very good players.

"I've seen bits of them myself on DVD but I trust my scouting people completely.

"Geoffrey shows what he is capable of in bits and pieces against Crystal Palace on Saturday, putting over a couple of great crosses and having a couple of goalscoring opportunities.

"Adlene is a strong midfield player and the two of them will be in the squad against Liverpool."

McCarthy is keen for Wolves to start picking up points again and keep themselves above the relegation zone.

His team performed creditably in losing 2-0 at Anfield last month.

He said: "We need to get points on the board. We have been on the 19 mark for too long. We have played well in patches in games against the leading sides.

"Maybe we just haven't had that bit of luck in those games that you need. Let's hope that changes on Tuesday."

McCarthy is still looking to add more players before the transfer window closes but admits he is not a fan of the current system.

He said "I always think that January is a slow window for transfers but the whole idea to me is ridiculous.

"You should be able to move players around all the time and not just in the summer and January."

Defender Richard Stearman will be available tomorrow after being suspended for the FA Cup match against Palace following his sending-off against Wigan earlier in the month.

McCarthy made several changes for the cup clash but is set to bring back several regular performers such as record signing Kevin Doyle and goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann tomorrow evening.

He said: "People mention that we've got Hull at the weekend and ask is that more important but we want to pick up points from every game. I would never put one game over the other.

"If we could pick up six points from the next two matches, both wins would be equally as important."