Within hours of Liverpool's derby win over Everton Jamie Carragher was turning his attentions to Arsenal.

The central defender is in no doubt how important a good win in North London will be on Wednesday. Especially as the Reds have moved into fourth place and sit just five points behind their hosts. 

All too aware of how good results and moral boosting performances have been followed by disappointing games Carragher is keen to make sure beating the Blues is a springboard to maintaining form and stretching an unbeaten run.

"It is not just three points, it has a massive impact and everyone is buzzing, but that can change if the result doesn't go our way at Arsenal," he said.

"We beat Manchester United [back In October] and then played Arsenal in the Carling Cup and lost.

"It is important we keep that feel good factor after the Arsenal game and that will be by making sure we get a good result.

"We are going into the game in a great frame of mind but Arsenal away is always difficult.

"We have been to the Emirates for a couple of years now and I don't think we've won there yet so it is something we are going to have to do sooner or later and hopefully Wednesday will be the time.

"For the last four or five years we have been good defensively under Rafa and we are just getting back to our normal selves. If you keep clean sheets you are going to win games."

Allowing himself some time to bask in the glory of ensuring Liverpool fans were able to walk into workplaces, schools, colleges and pubs with a stride in the their step the Anfield vice-captain continued: "It's always extra special when you beat your local rivals, but at the end of the day it's still three points for a win and our aim is to get into that top four [and stay there].

"At half-time it didn't look good because we were down to 10 men and it was still 0-0. But we are Liverpool and we have a great strength of character."

However, as so often is with the 32 year old, Carragher sees room for improvement and the fact that the Reds have not lived up to their potential reduces the satisfaction of the weekend.  

"We should be up at the top and winning games. It's not about proving people wrong. It's about going out there and showing what we are capable of.

"We still aren't happy with where we are, but we have to keep on going until the end of the season now and try and get as high up the table as possible.  

"There's still a long way to go. It will be tough because there are a lot of teams going for a top four place, but it's up to us to keep fighting and look after ourselves." 

There has been a notable lift in team spirit and confidence since late December. There was a low when Rafael Benitez's side were beaten by Portsmouth.

Liverpool have beaten some far better teams than the South Coast outfit since but Wednesday evening will be bigger than any for Carragher who believes his colleagues are able to come through.  

"Arsenal away will be a big test and could be one of the key games.  

"We are all in it together. At the end of the day we are Liverpool and the spotlight is always on you. The crowd can do a lot but at the end of the day it's the 11 men on the pitch who have to do something about it. 

"A lot of people have talked about Liverpool this season but the only way we can make a difference is by doing it out on the pitch. It's down to us."