"We all dream of a team of Carraghers"

“I was determined to ensure when the time came for me to tell my story it reflected how I play: completely honest”

Carra, captains armband, the leader

I sat down to piece this article together on hearing the news of Jamie Carraghers upcoming retirement at the end of this season.  I was naturally drawn to his honest and uncompromising style of play, and after breaking back in to the team with typically committed performances against Arsenal and Manchester City, I was chuffed that this one club legend would see out his long and distinguished career in a fitting way.

However, as only sport can do, and as the saying goes that “a pat on the back is only six inches from a kick in the ass”, Jamie Carraghers record 150^th, and now final European appearance for the Reds, will be best remembered for his underhit backpass which allowed Zenit St. Petersburg forward Falcao the opportunity to coolly slot past Pepe Reina and give the away side an advantage which unfortunately the Reds could not overturn on aggregate.  So, after all the tributes on hearing of his upcoming retirement, Carragher was now being criticised for Liverpool’s European exit.  In the 3E studio they even quipped that maybe he should have retired earlier.  Those in glasshouses and all that as they say!

I have many happy memories of Carra during his decorated career and several images will linger in the greatest hits package of his many tackles, blocks and last ditch interventions. 

On his third appearance for the club in the 1997/98 season, he made his first start for the club against Aston Villa and scored his first goal for the club.  This from a defensive midfield position. 

Carragher's versatility meant that he began to be deployed to fill wherever there was a hole, but this ironically harmed his ability to hold down a first team position of his own. In the 1999/00 season he played mainly as a right-back, the same season that saw one of his darkest Liverpool moments as he scored two own goals in a 3–2 home defeat to arch rivals Manchester United.

However, every cloud has a silver lining and in the following season, 2000/01, and after switching to the left back position, Carra was to win his first Senior honours as Liverpool went on to claim the League Cup, FA Cup, UEFA Cup, Community Shield and Super Cup all within the space of a few short months.

After the arrival of manager Rafa Benitez at the start of the 2004/05 season, Carra was moved in to the centre half position which he would make his own over the next number of years.  Further success followed in the shape of the 2003 League Cup Final win over Manchester United, 2006 FA Cup Final win over West Ham and the 2012 League Cup Final win over Cardiff on penalties but it is Carra’s performances in the 2004/05 Champions League winning campaign that will live longest in the memory.  A little anecdote from the victory celebrations sum up the career of this man which was utterly devoid of fanfare. 

This most poignant moment was not the result of denying Andrei Shevchenko or Hernan Crespo in extra time of that exhausting evening. It was when Carragher was on the podium alongside Steven Gerrard, the captain’s chief lieutenant about to take his rightful place in the iconic picture that would be wired around the world.  As Gerrard took the Champions League trophy and the red ticker tape showered the jubilant Liverpool squad, Carragher moved towards a prime position when his body gave way.  While he was creased up in agony, the emblematic photograph placed Gerrard alongside Spanish reserve Josemi.  Carragher was the Liverpool legend unseen, lost in the background, nursing the aches and pains of putting his body on the line for the club.

The Miracle of Istanbul

With the news the defender will retire at the end of the season and cut all ties with the club he loves, us supporters must reflect on the prospect of a Reds team without him for the first time in 17 years.  What perhaps prevents many from ranking him the greatest ever Anfield servant is the fact he didn’t win the title along with the 12 gongs he won as leader of his team.  But that shouldn’t diminish his reputation, or his ranking as one of Liverpool’s best ever defenders along with Alan Hansen, Mark Lawrensen and Ron Yeats, all giants for the Reds.

My abiding memory of him will be a player at his commanding best; fitting, given everything he has achieved in the game.  No one can fail to have grasped his love for Liverpool as a club and clearly he did not want to go out as a bit-part player.  Jamie Carragher, we salute you.