BR: Carra has key role to play
Brendan Rodgers hailed the commitment and mentality of Jamie Carragher and labelled the Liverpool centre-back an 'incredible professional'.
A Reds veteran of 16 years, Carra edged into second place on the all-time appearance-holders list when he surpassed Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence's record of 665 games for the club in May 2011.
And Rodgers insists the 34-year-old, who notched his 700th appearance in Belarus against Gomel in August, still has an important part to play at Anfield under his tenure.
"This is a guy who rinses everything out of his life he possibly can. He never gets tired mentally, he demands high standards every day," said Rodgers.
"He's got a critical role for me - he's been absolutely first class since I came here.
"He's played over 700 games for Liverpool - a monumental achievement - but now working with him every day I see why.
"He's an incredible professional. He's 34 but his physicality and his body is incredible. He's as strong a player mentally as any I've ever come across.
"Jamie has been a real breath of fresh air. People used to say Jamie Carragher just kicks the ball long but he can pass the ball as well as anybody. He's one of the best technical players I have."