17 seasons and 737
appearances after making his professional senior debut for Liverpool, Jamie
Carragher has called time on his illustrious playing career.
Since his first match for
the reds in January 1997, the Bootle-born defender has invested his entire
footballing ability in his metaphorical home – Liverpool Football Club. Whether
playing in a pre-season friendly in Thailand or a Champions League final in
Turkey, ‘Carra’ represented the reds with unwavering honour, passion and
commitment.
His professionalism has
been underlined this season in particular - winning his place back in the heart
of Liverpool’s defence from Martin Skrtel, after previously being ousted by the
Slovakian in 2011. "He's played 16 Premier League games since he came back
into the team and we've only lost one,” said reds’ manager, Brendan Rodgers. “He's
been an absolutely colossal player and at 35 he's still fit and strong.”
Carragher emerged from the
Anfield tunnel, appropriately as captain, as a Liverpool player for the final
time on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers. He was greeted by a guard of honour
from both sets of players and a mosaic on the kop which read ‘JC23’, and
received incessant praise from all corners of the media in the build-up and
aftermath to the game. Despite undoubtedly deserving such acclaim, Carragher
seemed almost embarrassed by the attention and typically looked solely
concerned with helping his club secure three points; this stoical, selfless and
dignified attitude is what sets him apart from most other people. Before the
game, he said “I’m not really big for that attention, but it’s going to be like
that, isn’t it? I just don’t want it to overshadow the game. I just want this
to go well and if it doesn’t it’ll annoy me afterwards.” The result, a one-nil
win to Liverpool, will have pleased Carragher - but had it not been for the
width of the post it could have been a whole lot better. During the second
half, Carragher took a rare long range shot, which agonisingly crashed back of
the upright. A goal in his final league appearance would have been fitting
after scoring the first of his five goals for the club on his league debut
against Aston Villa.
Carragher’s performance on
Sunday was symbolic of his season in a red shirt. The red’s vice-captain made
just one noticeable error in 2012/13 – which for a defender who’s every move is
magnified, is quite frankly absurd. So after regaining some of his best form
and garnering such praise for his recent performances, why does he feel now is
the right time to bow out? “I didn't want to let the club's fans down because
as you get older you go downwards, don't you?” said Carragher. “I'd hate to be
at fault in a really big game, a semi-final or a final so I thought 'I'll get
out now while I'm still doing OK'.”
And who could forget
Jamie’s heroics in Istanbul – a final where he was far from at fault. Iconic
images, like Carragher going down with cramp in extra time and jumping on Jerzy
Dudek after his trophy-winning penalty save, were created that night. That
season, 2004/05, was arguably Carragher’s best in a red shirt – as he helped
lead a team of underdogs to Champions League glory.
The only dark cloud
surrounding Jamie Carragher’s career, was the fact he was criminally underused
by his national team – making just 38 appearances for England. Not many
complaints were heard from Liverpool fans though, as his isolation by numerous
national team managers meant Carragher could focus exclusively on club
football. It was never about recognition for ‘Carra’, it was just about time he
tackled an opposing player and won the ball back for his beloved Liverpool. A Liver bird always befitted him more than three lions anyway.
Make no mistake; Jamie
Carragher will be a huge loss for Liverpool Football Club – not just on the
field, but also in terms of his character and leadership off the pitch. His retirement
as a player certainly won’t signal the end of his involvement in football
though; he will be defending his point of view rather than a goal, as he graces
our television screens on Sky Sports next year. After that, who knows? But I
think it will be hard for him to resist a return to his former club, whatever
capacity it may be in.
Career statistics
Club appearances: 737
Club goals: 5
International appearances: 38
International goals: 0
Club honours: FA Youth Cup, FA Cup (2). League Cup (3), FA Community Shield (2), UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup (2).
Individual honours: PFA Team of the Year, Liverpool Player of the Year (3).
Video by @mrboywunder.
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