Source: Daily_Mail
Jamie Carragher cool over Liverpool's Europa League near miss
Share Liverpool have failed to qualify for European football next year for the first time since 1999, but Jamie Carragher has revealed that he is, in a way, rather pleased. The Reds missed out on their target of a Europa League spot after defeats in their final two games of the season allowed Tottenham to sneak into fifth place in the Barclays Premier League. But Carragher insisted the club's sixth-placed finish has its upside, as not having to play on Thursday nights on Channel 5 will leave the team fresher for next season's top priority: regaining a place in the Champions League. Bleeds Red: Jamie Carragher suffered a bad cut during Sunday's final gameCarragher, 33, said: 'We would rather have got in the Europa League but it's not happened and we have to look at the positives. 'The main thing for us next season is getting back into the Champions League. Not being in Europe will give us a better chance of doing that. We want to get back in the top four and do well in the cups. 'Playing Thursdays and Sundays isn't ideal so there's a flip side to not being involved.' Down and out: Stewart Downing's goal meant Liverpool missed out on EuropeThe Liverpool stalwart also had words of praise for manager Kenny Dalglish, who transformed the Reds' season after taking over a club in crisis and just four points above the relegation zone in January. But Carragher says Liverpool must keep on improving next season. He added: 'It's gone well since the manager came in and we have got plenty to be positive about. When Kenny came in we would have bitten someone's hand off to finish sixth. 'Sixth is an achievement from where we were. We wouldn't have accepted it at the start of the season but we would in January. 'But of course it's not been a great season for Liverpool as we didn't win anything and next season we'll be looking to improve and finish higher.' Aston Villa 1 Liverpool 0: Reds fail to qualify for Europe for first time since '99Take it like a fan! Supporters of Premier League clubs review their seasonSkrtel has not missed a minute this season thanks to 'veni, vidi, vici'All the latest Liverpool FC news, features and opinion Explore more:People: Kenny Dalglish, Jamie Carragher Places: Liverpool, Europe