* VIEW a picture gallery of Jamie Carragher's Anfield career here

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez believes players like Jamie Carragher are part of a dying breed.

The Bootle-born centre-back is set to make his 600th appearance for the club he joined as a schoolboy at Portsmouth.

Carragher worked his way through the academy and an apprenticeship to make his debut on January 8 1997.

But with football having gone global in the intervening years Benitez believes Carragher’s achievements will be almost impossible to replicate.

"Maybe someone will do it but it will be very difficult. Now there is too much money around the world in football," said the Liverpool manager.

"If you have a good player normally someone will make a good offer and the agents have too much power.

"Modern football is more difficult so 600 games in a top side for a local player is a massive achievement."

Benitez has overhauled the academy at Liverpool in the hope the club can unearth more local prospects who can follow in the footsteps of Carragher - who is already the club’s European appearance record holder - and captain Steven Gerrard.

He believes having home-grown, talented players is an addition bonus.

"For me as a manager - for any manager - to have local players coming through the system is easier and better but it is more difficult in modern football," he added.

"You have a lot of scouts watching games but it would be really good for us."

Benitez paid tribute to Carragher, who has played in both full-back positions and also as a defensive midfielder during his Liverpool career, for reaching the 600-game mark.

In doing so he will become only the ninth Liverpool player to reach the appearance milestone.

"I think it is amazing. At this time with modern football, to play 600 times for the same team and be a local player is a fantastic achievement," said the Spaniard.