Jamie Carragher is delighted to see three of Liverpool's young local players make their Champions League debuts this week.

The Reds vice-captain admits it is harder than ever before to make the breakthrough into the first-team but was delighted to see Academy graduates Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly feature in Tuesday's 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.

"It is difficult. It's more difficult now than when I started because Liverpool are a better team now," he told liverpoolfc.tv.

"We are regarded as one of the best teams in Europe and that makes it a lot more difficult for the younger players who are trying to break into the team.

"That's the challenge facing them so it was good to see them get some time on the pitch against PSV.

"Don't get me wrong, the game was probably won by the time they came on but they weren't overawed in any way and they did quite well as well."

Carra was impressed by the way the trio acquitted themselves after appearing as second-half substitutes in the Philips Stadion and hopes they can now go on to feature more prominently and add more of a local element to the side.

"Playing for Liverpool in the Champions League is something they will remember for the rest of their lives," added Carragher.

"Jay told me he received 37 text messages after the game so that shows just how pleased his family and friends are and it's the same with all of us, we're all delighted for them."