Liverpool veteran Jamie Carragher believes the Champions League is a tougher competition than the World Cup.

The England defender was calm ahead of Friday's must-win match against Algeria in Cape Town as he explained that national teams do not have as much quality as the bigger teams in Europe simply because they cannot buy who they want.

"We talk all the time about whether the World Cup is a step up for us as players but I'm with what Jose Mourinho said the other day," said Carragher.

"The Champions League is the highest level because teams can go and buy whoever they want.

"As far as players on the pitch are concerned, I think Barcelona and all the top teams in Europe would give Brazil and Spain a game.

"The pressure of playing [for your country] is more intense than playing for your club. Most players play better for their clubs because they are used to it and I would say the latter stages of the Champions League is the better spectacle.

"But what is different is the pressure with playing for country because you are going onto the pitch representing everyone.

"Look at what's happened to Robert Green. You are under so much scrutiny. If you make a mistake like that for your club there wouldn't be so much scrutiny."