Vital Liverpool FC keeps a Scouse heartbeat says Jamie Carragher

The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have both named all-foreign line-ups for Premier League matches and although Liverpool now have a Spanish manager in Benitez and a largely overseas-born squad, Carragher does not want the club to lose an important element of its identity.

He said: "No disrespect to anyone else, but when you are a local lad who has come through you have a bit of an extra feel for the club.

"That's not a criticism of the foreign players but the club does mean so much to the local lads and you can see that in those young lads every day in training."

Carragher was delighted to see reserve team graduates of Stephen Darby, Jay Spearing and Martin Kelly thrust into the action as second half substitutes in Liverpool's 3-1 win over PSV on Tuesday.

Though Carragher acknowledges it is tougher than ever for young players to make the grade at Anfield, he remains hopeful the trio can continue to stake their claim for places in Benitez's squad.

He said: "It is difficult. It's more difficult now than when I started because Liverpool are a better team now.

"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."

Having been impressed by the way Merseyside-born duo Spearing and Kelly plus Darby of Bolton acquitted themselves in the latter stages of the game in Eindhoven, Carragher is aware of just how much their appearances will have meant to them.

Now he is hoping that they will continue their progress and help give Liverpool some additional local flavour.

"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."