A one club stalwart who always plays with absolute commitment, Jamie Carragher is one of the Premier League’s most dependable defenders. One of the very first names on the team sheet for over a decade, Carragher is the epitome of what supporters love to see on the pitch – a local lad who knows just how much the club means to the people who pay to watch games.
Despite growing up as an Everton supporter -and having to read listen to rumours for years about having an Everton tattoo on his arm – Jamie Carragher has been at Anfield all of his professional career. Alongside his fellow Evertonian and school friend at the now defunct Lilleshall School of Excellence, Michael Owen, Jamie became a member of the Liverpool Youth team that won the FA Youth Cup in 1996. After making his league debut in the 1996/97 season, he established himself in the first team squad the following season.
During his early first team years, Carragher both benefited and suffered from his undoubted versatility. His all-round defensive qualities led to him playing at right back, left back and in midfield as well as in central defensive positions. He had the curse of the utility man – he was usually in the team but never able to claim a position that was really his own.
It was Rafa Benitez who eventually decided to install Carragher into the centre of the defence permanently when he arrived from Valencia at the beginning of the 2004/05 season. The partnership formed between Jamie and Sami Hyypia became the foundation of the team that went on to memorably defeat Milan in the Champions’ League Final at the end of that season. Carragher, the captain on that illustrious occasion, will always be remembered by Liverpool supporters for that famous last ditch tackle at the end of extra time when he was barely able to walk because of cramp.
Controversially, and for many people regrettably, Jamie Carragher decided to bring his international career to an early end when, in 2007, he told the manager, Steve McClaren that he was no longer available for selection. After 34 appearances since 1999, the frustration of being unable to hold down a regular position persuaded him to concentrate on his Liverpool career.
Although he has never been the quickest of defenders, Jamie Carragher has always shown an uncanny ability of being able to ‘read’ situations in advance. Also able to time tackles well, his recent sending off against Fulham – itself a debatable decision – was his first for seven years. More than anything, though, it is his willingness to put his body in the way of anything that has always endeared him to Liverpool followers.
At 31 years of age, Jamie Carragher should have several more seasons of top level football ahead of him. Already he has played in more European matches than any other Liverpool player and, although he is unlikely to overtake Ian Callaghan’s 857 first team appearances, he already has 590 to his credit. This means that he is ninth on the list and, with Alan Hansen and Bruce Grobbelaar not too far ahead of him, he could overtake them this season. It’s less likely, however, that Ian Rush’s total of 346 goals will come under threat; Jamie has four to his credit so far!