JAMIE CARRAGHER has set his sights on climbing into second place in Liverpool’s all-time appearance list.

The 31-year-old defender will play his 600th game for the club in tomorrow’s Premier League clash at Portsmouth.

He will become only the ninth player in Liverpool’s history to reach the impressive landmark and he is determined to enjoy many more years at the highest level.

Ian Callaghan’s record of 857 appearances may never be broken, but Carragher is hoping to surpass legends Ray Clemence and Emlyn Hughes, who are joint second on 665.

“The 500th game seems like yesterday so I can’t believe how quickly it has come around,” he said.

“It scares me how quickly that century of games have gone because probably in 100 games – if I’m still here – maybe it will be time to hang up my boots.

“When you’re a Liverpool player, you never look too far ahead because if you do that you’ll end up not focusing on what is immediately in front of you. My target at the beginning of each season is to play 50 games. If I don’t do that I’m disappointed.

“But I understand that I’m getting older and in a few years time that may not be possible. I’ve got another 18 months left on my contract so I’d like to be playing regularly next season.

“That means potentially I could finish this season on 620-625 then play another 40-odd games next season – taking me into second position in the all-time appearance list.

“Passing Ray Clemence would make me happy. It will prove that I’ve been up for the fight for a long time.”

Carragher signed his first professional contract with Liverpool back in October 1996 and made his debut three months later in the League Cup tie at Middlesbrough. He has won every major honour apart from the Premier League title and was capped 34 times by England.

The Bootle-born centre-back believes he has reaped the rewards of looking after himself.