Jamie Carragher has paid tribute to the imperious form of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger – but insisted he's determined to do all he can to win a place back in Kenny Dalglish's starting XI.

Skrtel and Agger have formed a commanding partnership at the heart of the Liverpool defence in recent months, meaning Carragher has spent time on the substitutes' bench.

But while the Reds' vice-captain admits the form of the pair has been excellent, he is ready to make the most of any opportunities that come his way as Dalglish's side continue to fight on three fronts.

Carragher said: "Of course, every player wants to play. But I went out of the team through injury and other players have come in and played well. The manager has been fair to those players and rightly so.

"Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have been two of our best players. I've got to wait my turn, just as other players had to wait their turn when I'd been playing for so long.

"That's just the way football is, you have to respect the manager's decision, respect the other players and, as I say, just do the best for your club when you get a chance."

Liverpool play host to Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round at Anfield later today, while they will contest the Carling Cup final against Cardiff City at Wembley next week.

In addition, the Reds are still vying for a top-four finish and Carragher believes the club are heading in the right direction under the guidance of Dalglish.

"There has been a lot happening on and off the pitch in recent times," he said.

"Obviously we had the ownership situation, that got sorted out. Then Kenny came in, and we had massive upturn in form. Especially last season, we nearly got back into the top four and that is something we're aiming for this season.

"It's a long time since we won a trophy but we're in the Carling Cup final and still in the FA Cup.

"When you're at Liverpool as a player or a manager it's about winning trophies and we're very close this season and desperate to go all the way in the FA Cup.

"The top four is also a big ambition because, of course, the Champions League is a massive part of the game, and that is something we want to be a part of.

"The season's there for us, and if we can put a great run of form in between now and the end of the season we can achieve a lot.

"I've never had a manager before who's won the title. He (Dalglish) has obviously done that, so it's a great help to me and I've learned a lot off him."

Carragher has collected an array of medals during his 686 appearances for Liverpool, however next Sunday's Carling Cup final will be the first time the club has played at Wembley since 1996 - and the No.23 can't wait for it.

"I've played cup finals at Cardiff, which is great, but I don't think anything beats Wembley," he added.

"It'd be great. When you think of Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool, you think of the FA Cup and League Cup at Wembley with the Everton finals and other games. It's something I've never been a part of."