The Reds agonisingly failed to reach their eighth European Cup final after semi-final defeat to Chelsea on Wednesday night, and 30-year-old Carragher issued a rallying call.

In their 15th European semi-final in all competitions, Liverpool had just lost 3-2 on the night after extra-time and 4-3 on aggregate as Chelsea marched on to Moscow for a date with Manchester United.

Carragher maintained that it would be "hard to watch that final" but says he would not be missing the showdown between the Barclays Premier League's top two clubs.

points gained

Carragher said: "We have done well in the Champions League, but everyone at the club knows that we have to bridge that gap between ourselves and the leaders.

"It is something that we are going to have to think about now and aim to improve next season. The final is too close to call, I will not enjoy watching it but of course I will watch."

He added: "At Liverpool we know we have to win trophies, but we were left with the Champions League after going out of the two domestic cups.

"In the league people did expect us to be challenging. But this will still be one of our best seasons in terms of points gained.

"But there is no doubt about the character and belief in this side, and next season we want to be challenging (Manchester) United, Chelsea and Arsenal."