The Liverpool centre-half will have to contend with the Ivorian for at least 180 minutes, and admitted that it has always been some fight against him.

"Yeah, he's brilliant. He just missed out on my Player Of The Year vote. That went to Ronaldo," Carragher told Zoo magazine.

"With someone that size, you've got to be up for a proper fight. He's as good as any striker in the world at the moment, so we know how hard it'll be.

"But don't forget we also know we have to look after Andrei Shevchenko as well."

Banal Banter

He also expressed his amusement with all the mind games and the pre-match banter, ever since this date was set two weeks ago.

"It did [amuse me]," he said. "We read the papers - they're lying around the training ground - so we see everything being said.

"It's entertaining, all good for a laugh. But it makes no difference whatsoever. As the tie takes shape, I'm sure it won't be just the managers having their say. It'll be players too."

Rafa Enjoying It

Carragher also suggested that despite his dismissiveness, coach Rafa Benitez was actually enjoying the exchange with Mourinho.

"It's such a big game, though, that no matter what he says, it'll be spun to make a headline," he continued. "Having said that, I think that he [Benitez] quite enjoys it too. It's all a bit of fun and has no bearing on the match itself.

"Those of us who played will never forget how good a night that was two years ago. That can spur us on to repeat it. Nights like that stay with you for the rest of your life."

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