Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, and Emile Heskey all played pivotal roles in the Merseysiders' 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield, but much of the praise after the game was directed at the less high-profile, but hugely important, contributions of Jamie Carragher and Stephen Wright.

Carragher has recently established himself as a regular member of Sven-Goran Eriksson's Senior England squad, having impressed many with his consistency and adaptability over the last couple of seasons.

Carragher was named as captain for last night's match and lead the team from the back with distinction. Caretaker manager Phil Thompson praised his skipper after the game, and described how the former F.A. Youth Cup winner and England Under-21 captain's ``face lit up with pride'' when he was told he would be leading out the side.

Carragher stood in for injured centre-back Sami Hyypia, and shackled giant Czech Jan Koller.

Thompson said: ``Jamie's face lit up when I told him he was captain, and he performed magnificently.

``People were worried about how we would cope with Koller, but Jamie had the confidence and the ability to do it.

``Along with Stephane Henchoz and Dietmar Hamann, he was outstanding. I was delighted with them all.''

However, if anyone enjoyed the night more than Carragher it must surely have been his teammate, and fellow product of the Liverpool youth system, Stephen Wright.

Full-back, Wright, who played for the England Under-21s in their impressive victories against Germany and Albania, has just made the breakthrough into the first team and his performance last night indicated he has every intention of staying there.

Competitive and competent at the back, Wright also managed to get forward to score the vital second goal of the night with a flying header to meet Patrik Berger's free-kick.

``Stephen has impressed everyone,'' said Thompson. ``He has just got into the side, played his first European game last week against Boavista, and popped up with a goal like that.

``He's only a young boy but he has equipped himself magnificently already and he did it again in this match."