Jamie Carragher

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Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher Liverpool vs Bolton 2011.jpg
Carragher playing for Liverpool in 2011
Personal information
Full name James Lee Duncan Carragher[1]
Date of birth (1978-01-28) 28 January 1978 (age 35)[2]
Place of birth Bootle, Merseyside, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[3]
Playing position Defender
Youth career
1990–1996 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
1996–2013 Liverpool 508 (4)
National team
1996–1997 England U20 4 (1)
1996–2000 England U21 27 (1)
1999–2010 England 38 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).

James Lee Duncan "Jamie" Carragher (born 28 January 1978) is an English former footballer who played as a defender for Premier League side Liverpool for 17 years. A one-club man, he was Liverpool's vice-captain for 10 years, and is the club's second-longest ever serving player, making his 737th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions on 19 May 2013. Carragher also holds the record for the most appearances in European competition for Liverpool with 150.

Carragher started his footballing career at the Liverpool Academy, making his professional debut in the 1996–97 season and becoming a first team regular the following season. Having initially played as a full back, the arrival of manager Rafael Benítez in 2004 saw Carragher move to become a centre back, where he remained. His honours with Liverpool include two FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League, one UEFA Cup and 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 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 World Cup, before retiring again with 38 senior England caps. His autobiography, Carra, was released in 2008.

Contents

Club career

Carragher in action against Manchester City

Born in Bootle, Merseyside, Carragher attended the FA's school of excellence in Lilleshall in his youth.[4][5] Although a childhood Everton supporter, he joined Merseyside rivals Liverpool in 1990, winning the 1996 FA Youth Cup in a team that included his friend Michael Owen. He signed his first professional contract with the club in October 1996, going on to make his first team début under Roy Evans three months later in a League Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, coming on as a substitute for Rob Jones. This was shortly followed by his league début, where he again came on as a substitute, this time against West Ham United. He then started the next game against Aston Villa, marking the occasion with his first goal – a header in front of the Kop – in a 3–0 win to temporarily take the side to the top of the table, although Liverpool would finish the season in fourth place. In the 1997–98 season Carragher broke into the first team, making twenty league appearances. The following season, he cemented his place in the first team squad – missing just four league games all season – and was also awarded his first international cap by England manager Kevin Keegan.

Throughout his early playing career, he was essentially used as a utility player that spent time as a centre-half, full-back and defensive midfielder in a squad that was often negatively labelled the "Spice Boys". Carragher, young and aware of the negative media reputations of that squad, learned to shun the spotlight and focus on football instead as new manager Gérard Houllier used him consistently in a new continental side focused on discipline.[6] 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 1999–2000 season he played mainly as a right-back, the same season that saw one of Carragher's darkest Liverpool moments as he scored two own goals in 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United. The 2000–01 season saw Carragher switch to he the left-back position and win his first senior honours, as Liverpool went on to win the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup, Community Shield and Super Cup in the space of just a few months.

During a January 2002 FA Cup tie against Arsenal, he threw a coin back into the stands that had been tossed at him and received a red card.[7][8] He escaped an FA misconduct charge after publicly apologising, but he did receive a formal police warning about the incident.[9] From 2002 until 2004, Carragher was hit by two serious injuries, missing the 2002 FIFA World Cup for an operation on his knee, and later receiving a broken leg after a tackle by Blackburn Rovers' Lucas Neill at Ewood Park in 2003. During this period, Carragher's place in the team was also threatened by signings of Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise. Despite this, he was able to win a second League Cup in 2003 with Liverpool, and shortly afterwards was named the club's vice-captain.

Carragher in action against Benfica

The 2004–05 season proved to be a career-defining one for Carragher. New manager Rafael Benítez moved him to centre-half, where he would manage 56 appearances all season alongside Sami Hyypiä. Carragher developed a reputation as a strong and positionally astute defender and would remain in the centre-half position for the rest of his career.[10] This season also saw Carragher prove central to Liverpool's triumph in the UEFA Champions League, in particular when he made two vital last-ditch intercepts in the Final in extra-time whilst suffering from cramp.[11] Carragher was subsequently awarded the Liverpool Player of the Year Award at the end of the campaign, and went on to captain the team to their UEFA Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.[12] In May 2006, Carragher played in the FA Cup Final against West Ham United, his tenth final in as many years of club football. Despite scoring an own goal in the 21st minute, Liverpool went on to win the Final 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 3–3 after extra-time, giving Carragher his second FA Cup win. He would appear in the FA Community Shield win two months later.

On 9 December 2006, Carragher scored his first league goal since January 1999, in a match against Fulham at Anfield. Fellow defender Daniel Agger flicked the ball on from a corner, and Carragher slid the ball under Fulham keeper Jan Laštůvka at the far post. The goal was only his fourth in his Liverpool career.[13]

Carragher for Liverpool in 2011

In Liverpool's Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea on 1 May 2007, Carragher set a new record for the most appearances in European competition for the club, his 90th European match taking him past Ian Callaghan's 89 matches between 1964 and 1978.[14] Carragher was voted as Liverpool's Player of the Year for a second time after the 2006–07 season by the fans, and immediately agreed a contract extension until 2011. That season also saw Carragher announce his international retirement, citing frustration with a lack of appearances under Steve McClaren.

The 2007–08 season saw Carragher reach his 500th appearance for Liverpool, for which he was made captain. On 18 May 2009, in the match against West Bromwich Albion, Carragher was involved in an on-field clash with fellow defender Álvaro Arbeloa, and the two had to be separated by team-mates Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger. Manager Rafael Benítez refused to comment on the matter, while Carragher later explained, "We want to keep a clean sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the fourth season running."[15] The following season saw many questioning his performances and whether he should remain in the starting line-up, although a solid performance against Manchester United on 25 October 2009 silenced his critics.[16] Four days later, he was sent off in a game against Fulham, which was his first red card in more than seven years.[17]

On 4 September 2010, a mixture of Liverpool players past and present played an Everton XI in Carragher's charity fund-raising testimonial match.[18] All proceeds from the game at Anfield went to local charities through Carragher's 23 Foundation.[19] He scored a goal for each side as his Liverpool team beat Everton XI 4–1, first by scoring from the spot for the Reds before converting a penalty own goal for the club he had supported as a boy after the break.

On 24 October 2010, Carragher scored his seventh own goal in the Premier League.[20] Only Richard Dunne, with ten, has scored more.[21] Weeks later, Carragher dislocated his shoulder in a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, the same game being his 450th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. He was out for around three months with the injury as it required surgery.[22] He returned on 6 February against Chelsea.

Liverpool F.C. fans pay their tribute to Jamie Carragher on his last ever match.

On 24 February 2011, Carragher made his 137th European appearance in a match against Sparta Prague at Anfield, setting a new British record. On 17 April 2011, during a match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, both Carragher and Jon Flanagan tried to head away the same ball, resulting in their heads colliding and Carragher being knocked out. After 6 minutes of treatment Carragher was stretchered off and replaced by Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Carragher recovered in time to make his 666th appearance for Liverpool days later, in 5–2 victory against Fulham.[23] This appearance put Carragher second in the list of Liverpool's all-time appearance makers, behind only Ian Callaghan with 857 games. In 2012, Carragher won a third League Cup with Liverpool.

In the first game of the 2012–13 season, and the start of Brendan Rodgers' term as Liverpool manager, Carragher made his 700th appearance for Liverpool in a 1–0 victory in the Europa League third round qualifying tie against FC Gomel.[24] Carragher often captained the side during the Europa League, and after a period of time only making league appearances as a substitute, he began to again earn a string of starting places.

On 7 February 2013, Carragher announced that he would be retiring at the end of the season, stating "It has been a privilege and honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so since I was 9."[25][26][27][28] On 9 March 2013, Carragher became only the second player – after Ryan Giggs – to play 500 league games for one club, in a 3–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. On 19 May 2013, Carragher played his 737th and final game for Liverpool in a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers. Before the match, he was given a guard of honour and was presented with a special trophy commemorating his career by Steven Gerrard and Ian Callaghan. During the match, despite his sparse goal record, Carragher hit Robert Green's post with a 30 yard strike, before being substituted in the 87th minute to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and players.[29]

International career

In 1996, Carragher made his first appearance for the England U-21 side. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he became a regular for the team and was eventually made captain. By 2000, when he became ineligible for the team due to age, he had set the record for the most caps at this level with 27. This record was later eclipsed in 2007 by former Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson.[30]

On 28 April 1999 he earned his first cap for the senior England team, coming on as a substitute against Hungary. He made his full international début against Netherlands at White Hart Lane in 2001, and later came on as a substitute in England's famous 5–1 victory over Germany in the Olympiastadion. Carragher missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup through injury, but was selected for the 2004 UEFA European Championship. He did not play a game, Ledley King being preferred in his position. He was later selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and although not in the original starting eleven, he replaced Gary Neville who suffered an injury. Carragher was one of three players to have a penalty saved by Portugal's Ricardo Pereira, as England yet again succumbed to a penalty shoot-out exit in the quarter-finals. Carragher, who had been brought on as a substitute for Aaron Lennon late in he game, scored with his first attempt but was forced to re-take his penalty by the referee, who had not blown his whistle.

On 9 July 2007 it was reported that Carragher was considering retiring from the England squad. When TalkSport host Adrian Durham accused Carragher of "bottling it" on his programme, Carragher phoned in to defend himself and say that as he was not being regularly selected he was indeed thinking about retirement, but would leave it until the upcoming match against Germany to decide.[31] Carragher did subsequently retire from international football, although he left open the possibility to return if needed for an international tournament. Carragher was said to have been unhappy at the failure of successive England managers to pick him regularly at centre-back.[32]

On 11 May 2010, it was announced that Carragher had been named in Fabio Capello's preliminary 30-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.[33] Carragher said of his return to international football, "The FA got in touch a few weeks ago and asked if I would have a rethink, due to injury problems; I said I would make myself available."[34] On 24 May, Carragher played his first match for England in three years, a friendly against Mexico which England won 3–1.[35] Carragher appeared in both of England's opening World Cup games, receiving a booking in each which resulted in a one-match ban.[36] He was not selected for the knock-out stage exit at the hands of Germany, being dropped in favour of Matthew Upson. Carragher subsequently permanently retired from international football, stating that his international return had been a "one-off" due to injuries to other players.[37]

Broadcasting career

Following his retirement in 2013, it was announced that Carragher had signed a contract to join Sky Sports as a pundit alongside the likes of Graeme Souness, Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp.[38] He is also an occasional sports columnist for the Daily Mail.[39]

Personal life

Carragher taking a picture with a fan

Carragher is married to his childhood sweetheart, Nicola Hart, and has two children.[40] Like several other high profile players to have worn the Liverpool shirt, including Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen, Carragher was an ardent supporter of Everton in his youth.[5] Carragher was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Sefton for his local charity work and "the exceptional example he sets to the youth of today" in 2008. He occasionally visits schools as part of his charity work, promoting the importance of family life.[41] Politically, Carragher is a supporter of the Labour Party and endorsed Andy Burnham in their most recent leadership election.[42]

On 28 February 2008, Carragher became involved in an altercation after a former friend hurled abuse at him outside his children’s school. Carragher accepted a police caution following the incident. Liverpool refused to comment.[43]

Career statistics

Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1996–97 Liverpool Premier League 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1
1997–98 20 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 23 0
1998–99 34 1 2 0 2 0 6 0 44 1
1999–2000 36 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 40 0
2000–01 34 0 6 0 6 0 12 0 58 0
2001–02 33 0 2 0 1 0 16 0 531 0
2002–03 35 0 3 0 5 0 11 0 54 0
2003–04 22 0 3 0 0 0 4 0 29 0
2004–05 38 0 0 0 3 0 15 0 56 0
2005–06 36 0 6 0 0 0 13 1 572 1
2006–07 35 1 1 0 1 0 13 0 513 1
2007–08 35 0 4 0 3 0 13 0 55 0
2008–09 38 1 3 0 1 0 12 0 54 1
2009–10 37 0 2 0 1 0 13 0 53 0
2010–11 28 0 0 0 0 0 10 0 38 0
2011–12 21 0 5 0 5 0 0 0 31 0
2012–13 24 0 1 0 2 0 11 0 38 0
Total England 508 4 40 0 35 0 150 1 737 5
Career total 508 4 40 0 35 0 150 1 737 5

International career statistics

England national team
Year Apps Goals
1999 1 0
2000 1 0
2001 5 0
2002 1 0
2003 1 0
2004 7 0
2005 6 0
2006 9 0
2007 3 0
2008 0 01
2009 0 01
2010 4 0
Total 38 0
  • 1 – was retired from international football in 2008 and 2009

Honours

Player

Liverpool

Individual

References

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 109. ISBN 1-85291-665-6. 
  2. ^ "Jamie Carragher Profile". Eurosport.com. Retrieved 2010-11-30. 
  3. ^ "Liverpool F.C. Profile". Liverpool F.C. Retrieved 22 April 2011. 
  4. ^ Biography for Jamie Carragher. IMDB. Retrieved on 2009-08-09.
  5. ^ a b Carragher: I should know how desperate Liverpool are for the title – The last time they won it I was an Everton fan!. The Daily Mail (2008-12-22). Retrieved on 2009-08-09.
  6. ^ May, Pete (2001-11-04). The 10 worst examples of footballers behaving badly. The Guardian
  7. ^ Hayward, Paul (27 January 2002). "Liverpool lost in red mist". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group). Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  8. ^ Chaudhary, Vivek (28 January 2002). "Carragher could face legal action". The Guardian (London: Guardian Media Group). Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  9. ^ "Carragher escapes charge for coin throw". Newsround (BBC). 30 January 2002. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  10. ^ Smyth, Rob (2007-03-07). "Is Jamie Carragher England's best defender?". London: GuardianUnlimited. Retrieved 2008-10-28. 
  11. ^ "Champions League final clockwatch". BBC Sport (BBC). 25 May 2005. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  12. ^ "Liverpool 3–1 CSKA Moscow (aet)". BBC Sport. 26 August 2005. Retrieved 2010-09-28. 
  13. ^ Sinnott, John (10 December 2006). "Liverpool 4–0 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2010-09-28. 
  14. ^ "Carragher the UEFA king at Anfield". Retrieved 3 May 2007. 
  15. ^ Eaton, Paul (2009-05-17). Carra explains Arbeloa exchange. liverpoolfc.tv
  16. ^ McNulty, Phil (25 October 2009). "Liverpool 2–0 Manchester United". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  17. ^ Sanghera, Mandeep (31 October 2009). "Fulham 3–1 Liverpool". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  18. ^ "Jamie Carragher scores for both teams in Liverpool testimonial". Guardian (London). 4 September 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-28. 
  19. ^ "Jamie Carragher lines up charity testimonial match". BBC Sport (BBC). 6 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-06. 
  20. ^ Chadband, Ian (24 October 2010). "Liverpool 2 Blackburn Rovers 1". The Telegraph (London). Retrieved 2010-11-30. 
  21. ^ Wheeler, Chris (25 October 2010). "Fernando Torres taps into spirit of Anfield as Roy Hodgson faces talk of dressing room revolt". Daily Mail (London). 
  22. ^ "Liverpool's Carragher faces three months out injured". BBC Sport. 30 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-30. 
  23. ^ "BBC Sport – Football – Fulham 2–5 Liverpool". BBC Sport (BBC). 9 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-09. 
  24. ^ "Liverpool FC 1 – 0 FC Gomel Match Report". Liverpool F.C. (Liverpool FC). 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-02. 
  25. ^ "LFC statement on Jamie Carragher". Liverpool F.C. Official Website. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013. 
  26. ^ "Carragher announces retirement plans – Liverpool icon to quit at end of the season". DailyMail. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013. 
  27. ^ "Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's unsung hero, deserves his place among the club's all-time greats". Daily Telegraph. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013. 
  28. ^ "Liverpool's Jamie Carragher to retire from football at end of season". Guardian UK. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2013. 
  29. ^ "Liverpool 1–0 QPR". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 May 2013. 
  30. ^ "England U21 defeats Serbia U21 to advance to semifinals". WSN. 17 June 2007. Retrieved 2009-07-29. 
  31. ^ "JC goes ga-ga over radio slur". SkySports. 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2007-07-10. 
  32. ^ "McClaren fails in Carragher bid". BBC News. 15 August 2007. Retrieved 2010-05-05. 
  33. ^ "World Cup 2010: Fabio Capello names 30-man England squad". The Daily Telegraph (London: Telegraph Media Group). 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-11. 
  34. ^ "Fabio Capello makes surprise England World Cup choices". BBC Sport (BBC). 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-11. 
  35. ^ "England 3–1 Mexico". BBC Sport. 24 May 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  36. ^ McCarra, Kevin (18 June 2010). "World Cup 2010: England labour to goalless draw with Algeria". Guardian (London). Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  37. ^ "Carragher to focus on Liverpool". BBC News. 3 July 2010. 
  38. ^ Jamie Carragher joins the Sky Sports team for the 2013/14 season. Sky Sports (30 April 2013).
  39. ^ MailOnline Columnists Jamie Carragher. MailOnline (23 April 2013).
  40. ^ Northcroft, Jonathon (12 October 2008). "Jamie Carragher's club passion". The Times (London). Retrieved 2009-03-12. 
  41. ^ Carragher on family life. BBC Sport (2008-10-08). Retrieved on 2009-05-17.
  42. ^ Jamie Carragher supporting Andy Burnham. labourlist.org (21 June 2010).
  43. ^ "Jamie Carragher | Assault rap | Gets police caution | The Sun |HomePage|News". The Sun (London). 29 February 2008. Retrieved 2010-06-26. 

External links

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Sporting positions
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Steven Gerrard		 Liverpool Vice-Captain
2003–2013		 Succeeded by
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