Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is happy to have a desperate Jamie Carragher available.

The Liverpool vice-captain afterwards spoke of his determination to fight for a regular first-team place once again, and insisted he was fully focused on continuing to play for as long as he could.

Dalglish admits he would not have expected anything less from Carragher and stressed the 33-year-old has a big role to play in the club's future.

"Carra has not said anything you would not have expected him to say," he told liverpoolfc.tv. "I spoke about Carra last week in the same breath as Steven (Gerrard) when his new contract was announced.

"He's been an integral part of this football club since about 12 or 13 years of age, and he will be for as long as he wants to be.

"The reaction and his quotes are vital. The fact he is here is vital. But more importantly the fact he can play is vital."