Benitez: Carra will rise to the occasion

Benitez told Liverpool’s official website: “We will look to Carra to give the team the character we need to show in the Champions League.

“He’s not hiding and he knows he needs to improve. You need players in your squad who can analyse themselves and see they need to improve.

“He played really, really well for the last two seasons and needs to get to that level again. It’s easy to talk about excuses but it’s important for someone to take a step forward and Carra is a good example for the rest of the team.

“After the Everton game, he was much better and in the last two games he has improved.

“You can’t blame one person when a goal is conceded and we need to improve defensively as a whole team. Because of the internationals he can’t be one hundred per cent fit yet and, little by little, he is getting better, just like Xabi Alonso, Sami Hyypia, John Arne Riise and Steve Finnan.”