Jamie Carragher has put an optimistic spin on Liverpool's goalless draw with West Ham United last night, insisting the rough patch they are presently enduring proves their title credentials

Liverpool struggled through another frustrating game at Anfield, although the point was still enough to take them to the top of the Barclays Premier League.

It was the third time this season that a supposedly inferior side had held the Anfield side to a goalless home stalemate, following identical results for Fulham and Stoke City, but Carragher refused to be downbeat. "Usually when you are not playing well you go down the table," he said. "Instead we are going up the league when we are not at our best."

While Rafael Benítez will doubtless take comfort from the sight of Liverpool leading the table in December for the first time since 2001 — the draw moved them a point clear of Chelsea in second — Luiz Felipe Scolari will have been feeling happier than Benítez after Liverpool failed to take full advantage of his team’s 2-1 defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

The boos that rang out in a small section of the home support at Anfield at the final whistle last night spoke volumes about the outcome of a match that Liverpool know they should have won. Robert Green was in fine form in the West Ham goal, but ultimately the home team had only themselves to blame. The return of Fernando Torres, the Spain striker, who is out for three weeks with a hamstring injury, cannot come quickly enough.

Despite this wobble in form, the club is in prime position for a double assault both at home and in Europe, as Carragher was keen to point out. "The positive thing to take is the fact that we have qualified for the next stage of the Champions League and we are top of the Premier League.

"To do that when we are not playing well and going through a rough patch is really positive.

"You are always disappointed when you don't win your home games, and obviously in the last three games at home we have not played as well as we could."

West Ham set their stall out like a team happy to play for a point, perhaps not surprising, given that the East London club last won at Anfield 45 years ago. This was the first point they have claimed away to Liverpool in nine years, although if Luis Boa Morte had held his nerve at the death, they might even have won, but the midfield player shot woefully wide despite having a clear sight of goal.

Victory would have flattered West Ham, who needed a mixture of wonderful goalkeeping, stout defending and a little luck to keep Liverpool at bay, although Craig Bellamy, playing against his former club in his 200th Premier League appearance, hit a post with a 25-yard drive and Carlton Cole sent a header just wide.

Liverpool had two efforts cleared off the line and had three penalty appeals for handball, all against Hérita Ilunga, the West Ham left back, waved away in the first half. Green produced two reflex saves to deny Dirk Kuyt in the 43rd and 85th minutes, in between making the stop of the night in the 56th minute when he somehow tipped over Yossi Benayoun’s blistering half-volley from 12 yards.

"We put [West Ham] under pressure which is what you expect, but it has happened for years - goalkeepers having good performances at Anfield," Carragher added. "In saying that, it is up to us to do a little bit more."