Jamie Carragher prepared Liverpool for the likelihood of elimination from the Champions League last night by insisting it would not be “a disaster” and declaring that the Europa League would still present them with the chance of winning silverware against a strong field.

Carragher has always ranked the Uefa Cup triumph, which was part of Liverpool’s 2000-01 treble, as an even greater achievement than the side’s Lazarus-style recovery in the Champions League final against Milan in Istanbul four years later. Though the prospects of progress in the elite tournament are not entirely dead ahead of tonight’s encounter with Debrecen, he insisted that the side must “accept it and move on” if they are eliminated at the group stage for the first time in manager Rafael Benitez’s five-year tenure.

“I think because we have done well in recent seasons other people outside the club tend to take it a little bit for granted that Liverpool will get into the knockout stages,” Carragher said. “But it isn’t easy. Manchester United didn’t make it through a few years ago and Barcelona have had a couple of setbacks this season and they aren’t sure of making it. It shows how well we have done in the past.”

Elimination would represent a blow for Liverpool in their critical pursuit of new equity partners. Their destiny lies 456 miles away in Florence tonight, where Fiorentina will progress along with Lyons from Group E if they defeat the French side. But providing Liverpool defeat the Hungarian champions, who have conceded more goals than any other side in the tournament and are yet to record a point, a draw in Florence would mean Liverpool needing to beat Fiorentina 3-0 at Anfield. If Lyons win, any victory for Liverpool in the final game would see Benitez accomplish another piece of Champions League escapology.

Carragher is preparing mentally for the worst, though. “Stevie [Gerrard] and myself won what was the Uefa Cup back [in 2001] and it was a great moment,” he said. “It is still a chance to win silverware and there are some great teams in that competition. Benfica looked really strong against Everton and Valencia are in it too. Obviously, we are all still hoping we are in the Champions League come Tuesday night. Whatever happens, you have to move on and look forward.”