Carra Scores

Carragher netted his first goal in five and a half years as the Reds cantered to a 3-1 victory in Lithuania - his strike coming just hours after a chat with his manager about his lack of goals in a Liverpool shirt.

Benitez said: "I told Carra before the game he must score three goals this season. He has started early!

Liverpool overcame the shock of an early Kaunas goal to stamp their class on their Champions League second qualifying round first leg in Lithuania.

Giedrius Barevicius snatched a dramatic opener for Kaunas, but the European champions eventually ran out 3-1 winners.

Djibril Cisse equalised moments after Barevicius bundled the ball home from close range, and Jamie Carragher headed Liverpool ahead before the break.

Captain Steven Gerrard grabbed his sixth goal of Liverpool's qualifying campaign from the penalty spot in the 54th minute after being brought down in the area.

New-boy Peter Crouch had a lively competitive debut for the Reds before making way for Fernando Morientes with 20 minutes remaining.

Jamie Carragher said: "It's good to get something out of these games but we had a few scares - credit to Kaunas, they caused a few problems for us in the first half.

"Even before they scored they had everyone behind the ball - so when they scored we realised it would be doubly difficult because they had something to hang on to.

"We know we are in a very strong position but the job is not done until after the game at Anfield next week."

After ending his six-and-a-half-year goal drought, the 27-year-old defender added: "I can promise you it won't be that long before you get another one from me - the manager wants another three or four more this season."

Afterwards Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez was satisfied.

"We conceded a goal but we had clear chances after scoring three - we had many chances.

"It's a good result - we only made one mistake during the game. All the team worked hard."

The Liverpool boss also again refused to discuss Milan Baros' future at Anfield after the Czech ace was left out of the 18 man squad for the tie.

"I am a lucky manager," he said. "I have a number of good strikers and I am able to rotate them. I have a lot of options."