Jamie Carragher today insisted Liverpool must to aim secure qualification for the Champions League next season - and then look to cement a place in the competition to help restore themselves as title contenders.

Carragher believes past experiences have taught him that once a team can guarantee a regular place in the Champions League, mounting a challenge for the Premier League is a natural progression.

"We all realise now the Champions League is very important," said Carragher. "It's the place to be seen and we are not there. Liverpool fans probably don't want to hear it, but it is an achievement getting into the top four. It is different to what it was a long time ago.

"Let's try and get back in that top four first as quickly as we can and then once you cement your place in there, you establish yourself and go again really, as we did with Gerard Houllier and Rafael Benitez.

"We were in the Champions League for a couple of years and then had that tilt at the title and just fell short. I think at the moment the task is to try and get back into that top four.

"I have been in the team 15 years and we have only challenged for the title a couple of times, which is obviously not what we would like and not good enough for us.

"At the moment I don't think the title is in everyone's mind, I think top four first."

Carragher knows that sealing a place in the competition will be a demanding process but the defender is certain the Reds will be back amongst Europe's elite in the coming years.

"I don't think we are the type of team that could just go out and spend £200million like Manchester City or Chelsea where and you have virtually guaranteed yourself a good chance of winning the title," he said. "We have to build a little bit slower than that.

"The next stage for us is to get into the Champions League, but that will happen. Football cycles and we will get back in there and then have a challenge for the title. I have come close a couple of times, but hopefully in the future we can go one step further."