Rafa hails Carragher display

Rafa Benitez has labelled Jamie Carragher's performance against Barca as 'astonishing'.

Rafa Benitez has labelled Jamie Carragher's performance against Barcelona on Tuesday as 'astonishing' as the defender helped Liverpool progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

Carragher was vital in keeping Barca's strikers at bay at Anfield as The Reds advanced despite a 1-0 defeat, due to their 2-1 win in Spain a fortnight ago.

Benitez was reluctant to single out just Carragher, but admits he does not know how the 29-year-old is not starting for England with displays like the one against Barcelona.

"It surprises me that Jamie is not a regular in the England team," Benitez said.

"I don't like praising just one player after a performance like that against Barcelona. Everyone contributed. The team, all of them, were giving something to the team in a brilliant night.

"Alvaro Arbeloa, Steve Finnan, all of them were fantastic. It is not fair to talk of just one, all of my team were fantastic on such an occasion.

"But it was an astonishing performance from Jamie. When defenders like Jamie have to play against world-class players like Ronaldinho, it is important that they do not make mistakes - and he didn't.

"He is such a good defender against the very best players and, yes, it is a surprise that such a really good defender does not play every game for his country."

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was also full of praise for Carragher following Tuesday's performance and believes England coach Steve McClaren will think long and hard before making his team selection for Israel later this month.

Gerrard added: "Over the two legs, Carra has been phenomenal. Maybe there are a few outside Liverpool who are surprised by how good he has been but it is no surprise to me or anyone else who has seen him just get better and better every season.

"I look around at the defenders across Europe and the rest of the world, and I really do not see anyone who is better than him. I definitely would not swap him for anyone.

"I also know the England manager Steve McClaren was in the crowd at Anfield against Barcelona, and after seeing a performance like that, it is going to make his next team selection very interesting."