The 23-year-old insists he will seize his chance to shine after fellow centre-back Martin Skrtel was ruled out with a knee ligament injury which could keep him sidelined until the new year.

Agger has been a peripheral figure at Anfield so far this season and is yet to figure in the Barclays Premier League, with Skrtel and Jamie Carragher preferred by manager Benitez.

playing time

But the Denmark international has vowed to make the most of his team-mate's misfortune after the Slovakian was injured in Sunday's win at Manchester City.

"Of course I hope to get some playing time, but this is not exactly the way I wished to get it. I know Martin very well because I share a room with him when we travel," said Agger.

"I hope to get my chance and then I will prove that it's my place. On the other hand, it might as well be (Jamie) Carragher's place because I don't know why people only say it is me or Skrtel who are fighting each other for a place in the team."