Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher is a former English footballer who played as a defender for Premier League club, Liverpool for an impressive seventeen years. Currently a pundit on Sky Sports, Carragher was Liverpool's vice-captain for ten years and is the club's second-longest ever serving player, making his 737th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions in May of 2013. Additionally, Carragher also holds the record for the most appearances in European competition for Liverpool with 150 appearances. Carragher grew up as an Everton football fan before deciding to for arch-rivals, Liverpool.

Starting his footballing career at the Liverpool academy, Carragher made his professional debut in the 1996/97 season, becoming a first-team regular the following season. Having initially played as a full-back, the arrival of manager Rafa Benitez in 2004, saw Carragher move to become a centre-back, where he found his best form. Carragher's honours with Liverpool include two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and as well as achieving victory in two Super Cups.

Internationally, Carragher held the national record for most caps at under-21 level and earned his senior debut in 1999. He represented England at the 2004 European Championship and the 2006 FIFA World Cup, before announcing his retirement from international football in 2007. He did, however, temporarily come out of retirement in order to represent England at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, before retiring again with 38 senior England caps. Carragher played as an attacking midfielder in his early days at Anfield, and contrastingly had played as a striker in his younger days.

Learning the art of defending rather quickly, Carragher was able to play across the back four, often playing as a utility full-back on either flank and occasionally in the centre of midfield. Throughout his footballing career, Carragher spent the majority of his time at centre-back. Carragher came into his own and eventually came to be regarded as one of the best English and Premier League defenders of his generation. A strong, versatile and consistent 'old fashioned' centre-back, who was known for his determined work-rate, loyalty, leadership and commitment, as well as his courageous, no-nonsense and hard-tackling playing style. Carragher was gifted with organisational ability.

Carragher was gifted with organisational ability, intelligence, concentration and tactical awareness, which enabled him to excel in reading the game and to produce last-ditch tackles. Carragher has also been described as a fierce competitor, who was physical and smart enough to marshall the backline as a leader. Former teammate, Jamie Redknapp, described him as 'ultra-competitive and probably the most driven footballer I have ever met'. Carragher was named by the well-known footballer, Didier Drogba as the toughest opponent he had ever played against.