english football player
“ Carragher ” redirects here. For the surname, see Carragher ( surname )
James Lee Duncan Carragher ( ; born 28 January 1978 ) is an english football initiate and former football player who played as a defender for Premier League club Liverpool during a career which spanned 17 years. A one-club man, he was Liverpool ‘s vice-captain for 10 years, and is the clubhouse ‘s second-longest ever serving musician, making his 737th appearance for Liverpool in all competitions on 19 May 2013. Carragher besides holds the record for the most appearances in european contest for Liverpool with 149.

Carragher started his career at the Liverpool Academy, making his professional debut in the 1996–97 season, and becoming a first base team regular the following season. Having initially played as a full-back, the arrival of director Rafael Benítez in 2004 power saw Carragher move to become a centre-back, where he found his best form. His honor with Liverpool total 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 floor and earned his senior debut in 1999. He represented England at UEFA Euro 2004 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 elder England caps. Following his retirement in 2013 Carragher joined Sky Sports, where he appears as a observer and initiate. In July 2020, CBS Sports announced Carragher would join their Champions League studio air team. [ 4 ]

Club career [edit ]

Beginnings and Cup double ( 1988–2004 ) [edit ]

Born in Bootle, Merseyside, Carragher attended the FA ‘s school of excellence in Lilleshall in his youth. [ 5 ] Although a childhood Everton assistant, he joined Merseyside rivals Liverpool in 1988, and regularly turned up at Liverpool ‘s School of Excellence wearing a Graeme Sharp Everton kit. [ 6 ] Carragher ‘s church father was besides an Everton athletic supporter, and his two middle names ( Lee Duncan ) are a tribute to Gordon Lee and Duncan McKenzie – coach Lee dropped McKenzie on the day of Carragher ‘s give birth. [ 7 ] He spent a year at the Everton School of Excellence at the age of 11, but returned to Liverpool due to the baseball club ‘s superior coaching set-up under Steve Heighway. [ 8 ] He failed to impress in his first base appearances to the Liverpool A and B teams due to his then-small stature, but after being moved from astir front to a midfield character he was able to establish himself in the modesty team. [ 9 ] He played his inaugural game for the reserves in the 1994–95 season, and was named man of the match against Blackburn Rovers at Haig Avenue. [ 10 ] He helped Liverpool to win the 1996 FA Youth Cup with a 4–1 aggregate victory over a West Ham United side that included Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard. [ 11 ] Carragher was tried out in refutation for the beginning time during the tournament, and late admitted that Liverpool were not the most technically talented side in the competition, but alternatively relied on team spirit and the outstanding talents of Michael Owen. [ 11 ] He made his beginning team debut for the “ Reds ” under Roy Evans in a League Cup quarter-final against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on 8 January 1997, coming on as a ersatz for Rob Jones 75 minutes into a 2–1 defeat. [ 12 ] Three days late he made his Premier League debut as a substitute at Anfield, playing the entire second half of a 0–0 guide with West Ham United. [ 13 ] On 18 January, he was scheduled to play as a centre-half against Aston Villa, merely to be replaced in the starting line-up by Bjørn Tore Kvarme ; however Patrik Berger was taken ill and Carragher was his last minute surrogate in central midfield. [ 13 ] He played well aboard Jamie Redknapp and scored his first goal with a heading in front of the Kop in a 3–0 acquire. [ 14 ] Despite this auspicious startle, it proved to be his end contribution to the 1996–97 crusade. [ 15 ] Carragher broke into the first team in the 1997–98 season as the team struggled to keep footstep with Arsenal and Manchester United despite having talented players such as Owen, Redknapp, Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Paul Ince. [ 16 ] Throughout his early bet career, he was basically used as a utility musician that spent fourth dimension as a centre-half, full-back and defensive midfielder in a team that was much negatively labelled the “ Spice Boys “. Carragher learned to shun the spotlight and focus on football alternatively as new coach Gérard Houllier used him systematically in a new continental side focused on discipline. [ 17 ] In his autobiography, Carragher admitted that “ I constantly felt close to Gérard ”, and was full of praise for the french director during the early share of his predominate. [ 18 ] He went on to make 44 appearances in the 1998–99 temper, and was named as the club ‘s Player of the Year. [ 19 ] Carragher was restricted to the right-back position after scoring two own goals in a 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United early in the 1999–2000 season. [ 20 ] Houllier never again played him at centre-back, as Sami Hyypiä and Stéphane Henchoz formed firm partnership. [ 21 ] The 2000–01 temper saw Carragher switch to the left-back military position and win his beginning 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 bet on into the stands that had been tossed at him and received a crimson card. [ 22 ] [ 23 ] He escaped an FA mismanage charge after publicly apologising, but he did receive a formal police warning about the incident. [ 24 ] From 2002–04, Carragher was hit by two dangerous injuries, missing the 2002 FIFA World Cup for an process on his knee, and former receiving a break leg after a tackle by Blackburn Rovers ‘ Lucas Neill at Ewood Park in September 2003. During this period, his plaza in the team was besides 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 clubhouse ‘s vice-captain .

Champions League and FA Cup success ( 2004–2007 ) [edit ]

Carragher in military action against Benfica The 2004–05 temper proved to be a career-defining one for Carragher. New coach Rafael Benítez moved him to centre-half, where he would manage 56 appearances all season alongside Sami Hyypiä. Carragher developed a repute as a strong and positionally astute defender and would remain in the centre-half position for the respite of his career. [ 25 ] This season saw Carragher prove cardinal to Liverpool ‘s gloat in the UEFA Champions League, in finical when he made two critical last-ditch intercepts in the Final in extra-time whilst suffering from cramp. [ 26 ] Carragher was subsequently awarded the Liverpool Player of the Year Award at the end of the political campaign, and went on to captain the team to their UEFA Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow. [ 27 ] Carragher was nominated for football ‘s most prestigious individual award, the Ballon d’Or, in 2005. [ 28 ] In May 2006, Carragher played in the FA Cup Final against West Ham United, his one-tenth final in as many years of cabaret football. Despite scoring an own finish in the 21st moment, 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 former .

“ I ‘d plummeted to the deepest put of misery, only to immediately recover to ascend the highest of peaks … no football player fancies a furtive preview of the most demeaning frustration in sporting history. But having staged a comeback that will echo in eternity, none of us would want it any other way. ”

— Carragher reflects on Liverpool ‘s Champions League succeed. [ 29 ]
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 fourthly in his Liverpool career. [ 30 ]
In Liverpool ‘s Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea on 1 May 2007, Carragher set a newfangled record for the most appearances in european competition for the club, his 90th european meet taking him past Ian Callaghan ‘s 89 matches between 1964 and 1978. [ 31 ] Carragher was voted as Liverpool ‘s Player of the year for a one-third time after the 2006–07 temper by the fans, and immediately agreed a contract extension until 2011. That season besides saw Carragher announce his international retirement, citing frustration with a lack of appearances under Steve McClaren .

late Liverpool career ( 2007–2013 ) [edit ]

Carragher lining up for Liverpool in 2010 The 2007–08 season saw Carragher reach his five-hundredth appearance for Liverpool, for which he was made master. On 18 May 2009, in the couple against West Bromwich Albion, Carragher was involved in an on-field clang with fellow defender Álvaro Arbeloa, and the two had to be separated by teammates Xabi Alonso and Daniel Agger. Manager Rafael Benítez refused to comment on the matter, while Carragher late explained, “ We want to keep a cleanse sheet and we want Pepe to have a chance of the Golden Glove for the one-fourth season running. ” [ 32 ] The stick to 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. [ 33 ] Four days former, he was sent off in a game against Fulham, which was his first crimson wag in more than seven years. [ 34 ] On 4 September 2010, a mix of Liverpool players past and present played an Everton XI in Carragher ‘s charity fund-raise tribute match. [ 35 ] All proceeds from the game at Anfield went to local anesthetic charities through Carragher ‘s 23 Foundation. [ 36 ] He scored a goal for each slope 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 one-seventh own goal in the Premier League. [ 37 ] Weeks late, 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. [ 38 ] He returned on 6 February against Chelsea .
Carragher in 2011. On 24 February 2011, Carragher made his 137th european appearance in a pit against Sparta Prague at Anfield, setting a newfangled british commemorate. 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 late, in 5–2 victory against Fulham. [ 39 ] 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 beginning game of the 2012–13 temper, and the startle of Brendan Rodgers ‘ term as Liverpool coach, Carragher made his 700th appearance for Liverpool in a 1–0 victory in the Europa League third rung qualifying tie against FC Gomel. [ 40 ] Carragher often captained the slope during the Europa League, and after a period of clock only making league appearances as a substitute, he began to again earn a string of starting places .

retirement [edit ]

Liverpool fans pay their tribute to Carragher on his end always match. On 7 February 2013, Carragher announced that he would retire at the end of the season, stating “ It has been a prerogative and respect to represent this big club for equally retentive as I have and I am vastly proud to have done so since I was 9. ” [ 41 ] [ 42 ] [ 43 ] On 9 March 2013, he played his five-hundredth league game for Liverpool, in a 3–2 win over Tottenham Hotspur. On 19 May 2013, Carragher played his 737th and concluding game for Liverpool in a 1–0 gain over Queens Park Rangers. Before the equal, he was given a guard of honor and was presented with a particular 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 hour to a standing ovation from both sets of fans and players. [ 44 ]

Read more: David Prowse

Post-retirement activity [edit ]

In 2009, Carragher set up the 23 Foundation, a charitable initiation with the stated aims of helping the youth of Merseyside. [ 45 ] In 2010 he donated all the proceeds from his recommendation year to the charity which created an initial fund of £1 million. [ 46 ] In August 2015, Jamie Carragher visited “ Carragher ‘s ”, a public house dedicated to his career at Liverpool, on West 39th street, Manhattan, New York. [ 47 ] It was revealed that Carragher would return to the pitch to play for England in Soccer Aid, a charity football match in help of UNICEF, aboard Robbie Fowler. [ 48 ] In January 2018, Carragher visited Kingsway House, a shelter which had been set up for roughly sleepers by Liverpool hotel firm Signature Living. He spent several hours talking to homeless residents and the volunteers and announced plans for a special charity football couple featuring ex-Liverpool and ex-Everton players and celebrities. [ 49 ] Carragher has worked with Liverpool fan Andy Grant, a former Royal Marine who was hit by a turkey in Afghanistan at the age 20 and subsequently had his right leg amputated, in helping to promote his story and his subsequent autobiography. Both men are from Bootle and Grant has said : “ It ‘s safe to say I never dreamed that at 30 I would be able to call on a mate and have him host a night of talking about my autobiography ”. [ 50 ] In May 2018, Grant released his book ‘You ‘ll never Walk ‘. Carragher was present at several of the bible launches and provided the foreword for the book. [ 51 ] On 10 October 2018, Carragher joined the open of Cotton Street protection. [ 52 ] The Cotton Street Project welcomes Liverpool ‘s most vulnerable members of society to enjoy the shelter. Carragher said “ What Lawrence is doing is fantastic. I am gallant to give him and the Cotton Street Project my digest. I ‘ll be keeping in even contact with those using the shelter and hopefully helping them to turn their lives around for the better. ” [ 53 ]

International career [edit ]

In 1996, Carragher made his foremost appearance for the England U21 side. Playing as a defensive midfielder, he became a regular for the team and was finally made captain. By 2000, when he became ineligible for the team due to old age, he had set the phonograph record for the most caps at this level with 27. This record was late eclipsed in 2007 by former Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson. [ 54 ] On 28 April 1999 he earned his beginning cap for the senior England team, coming on as a substitute against Hungary. He made his fully international début against Netherlands at White Hart Lane in 2001, and later came on as a alternate in England ‘s celebrated 5–1 victory over Germany in the Olympiastadion. Carragher missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup to undergo operation on a knee injury ; though he had the option to delay operation this would have required him to miss pre-season train with Liverpool. [ 55 ] He was selected for UEFA Euro 2004 but did not play a game, Ledley King being preferred in his position. He was late selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and although not in the original starting football team, he replaced Gary Neville who suffered an wound. Carragher was one of three players to have a penalty saved by Portugal ‘s Ricardo, as England yet again succumbed to a penalty shoot-out exit in the quarter-finals. [ 56 ] Carragher, who had been brought on as a substitute for Aaron Lennon former in the game, scored with his beginning attack but was forced to re-take his penalty by the referee Horacio Elizondo who had not blown his whistle. His nip hit the banish from the follow-up attack. During a Euro 2008 qualifier, against Israel, in Tel Aviv, Carragher hit the bar with a looping header as the match ended scoreless. [ 57 ] 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 program, 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 approaching match against Germany to decide. [ 58 ] Carragher did subsequently go to bed from external football, although he left open the possibility to return if needed for an external tournament. [ 59 ] In his autobiography, he stated a number of reasons for his retirement : he prioritized Liverpool over England, he wanted to spend more clock time with his family, and most of all he was unwilling to feature as a police squad musician. [ 60 ] On 11 May 2010, it was announced that Carragher had been named in Fabio Capello ‘s preliminary 30-man team for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. [ 61 ] 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. ” [ 62 ] On 24 May, Carragher played his first gear equal for England in three years, a friendly against Mexico which England won 3–1. [ 63 ] Carragher appeared in both of England ‘s open World Cup games, receiving a book in each which resulted in a one-match ban. [ 64 ] He was not selected for the knock-out stagecoach exit at the hands of Germany, being dropped in favor of Matthew Upson. Carragher subsequently permanently retired from international football, stating that his international tax return had been a “ one-off ” due to injuries to early players. [ 65 ]

dash of play [edit ]

Carragher played as an attacking midfielder in his early days at Anfield and had been a striker as a child, but he soon learned the art of defending. [ 66 ] He was able to play across the back four, much playing as a utility full back on either flank, and occasionally in the center of midfield early in his Liverpool career but went on to spend most of his clock at cabaret and country grade at centre-back. When playing at fully back Carragher was sometimes labelled as a “ limited defender “ as he compared unfavorably with attacking full-backs due to his miss of pace or celebrated technical skills. [ 67 ] [ 68 ] [ 69 ] however, as a center back he came into his own, and came to be regarded as one of the best english and Premier League defenders of his generation. A strong, versatile and reproducible antique centre-back, who was known in particular for his work-rate, stamina, commitment, leadership and committedness, a well as his brave, no-nonsense and hard-tackling playing stylus, Carragher was gifted with organizational ability, intelligence, concentration, and tactical awareness, which enabled him to excel at reading the game, chase down opponents, and produce last-ditch tackles. [ 68 ] [ 69 ] [ 70 ] [ 71 ] [ 72 ] [ 73 ] early teammate Jamie Redknapp described him as “ extremist competitive and credibly the most drive football player I have ever met ”. [ 66 ] Carragher was named by Didier Drogba as the toughest opposition he had always played against with the Ivorian describing him as an aggressive but fair defender. [ 74 ] In summation to his defensive skills, Carragher was besides known for his longevity. [ 75 ]

Media career [edit ]

Carragher signed a shrink with Sky Sports for the 2013/14 temper to appear as a initiate aboard Graeme Souness, Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp. [ 76 ] Carragher appeared on Monday Night Football on Sky Sports alongside Gary Neville with donor Ed Chamberlin from 2013 to 2016. Carragher and Neville were praised for their psychoanalysis, with their erstwhile on-field competition adding to their personalities on-air. [ 77 ] Carragher is an episodic sports columnist for the Daily Mail. In January 2014 the Daily Mail struck a partnership batch with TalkSPORT radio which saw Mail journalists and columnists, including Carragher, appear as guests on the station. [ 78 ] In August 2017, TV3 Sport, the danish Sports Channel ( owned by Modern Times Group ) signed Carragher as its raw football expert. Carragher provides technical be analysis of the UEFA Champions League. [ 79 ] On 11 October 2017, Carragher was unveiled as The Telegraph ‘s fresh football columnist. [ 80 ] In June 2018 he joined its team of adept commentators to cover the World Cup in Russia. He besides featured in The Telegraph ‘s total Football podcast throughout the tournament. [ 81 ] On 11 March 2018, the Daily Mirror published a television showing Carragher sprinkle at a car carrying a man and 14-year-old girl after covering Manchester United ‘s 2–1 winnings over Liverpool for Sky. The valet driving the fomite “ goaded ” Carragher, shouting “ Unlucky Jamie chap. Two, one. ” [ 82 ] After the television surfaced, Carragher issued an apology to the driver and his daughter, calling it a “ moment of madness ” and the “ bad mistake ” of his career. He was suspended by Sky Sports and removed from danish channel TV3 Sport’s approaching coverage the watch sidereal day. [ 83 ] He returned to TV3 Sport in early April 2018. Peter Norrelund, CEO of Modern Times Group issued a statement, saying “ I do not think that a individual mistake should have such serious consequences that we can no longer have Jamie Carragher on the team. consequently, he is back on the football field for TV3 when quarter-finals are played in early on April. ” [ 84 ] Carragher made a brief appearance on Sky Sports in July, giving an interview following England ‘s World Cup semi-final frustration to Croatia, before resuming his function as a football initiate in August 2018 for the starting signal of the 2018–19 Premier League season. [ 85 ]

personal life [edit ]

Carragher taking a picture with a fan Carragher is married to his childhood sweetheart, Nicola Hart, and has two children. [ 86 ] His son, James, is besides a professional football player presently playing for Wigan Athletic F.C. . [ 87 ] Carragher was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Sefton for his local charity work and “ the especial exercise he sets to the youth of today ” in 2008. He occasionally visits schools as separate of his charity sour, promoting the importance of family life. [ 88 ] politically, Carragher is a assistant of the Labour Party and endorsed Andy Burnham in his leadership election in 2010. [ 89 ] His autobiography, Carra, was released in 2008. Carragher has become a patron to the Alder Hey Charity. [ 90 ] On 8 April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Malta, in a message of encouragement to the state, Carragher revealed that he had maltese origin through his Maltese-born grandfather Paul Vassallo. [ 91 ]

career statistics [edit ]

club [edit ]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Liverpool 1996–97[92] Premier League 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 1
1997–98[93] Premier League 20 0 0 0 2 0 1[a] 0 23 0
1998–99[94] Premier League 34 1 2 0 2 0 6[a] 0 44 1
1999–2000[95] Premier League 36 0 2 0 2 0 40 0
2000–01[96] Premier League 34 0 6 0 6 0 12[a] 0 58 0
2001–02[97] Premier League 33 0 2 0 1 0 15[b] 0 2[c] 0 53 0
2002–03[98] Premier League 35 0 3 0 5 0 11[d] 0 0 0 54 0
2003–04[99] Premier League 22 0 3 0 0 0 4[a] 0 29 0
2004–05[100] Premier League 38 0 0 0 3 0 15[b] 0 56 0
2005–06[101] Premier League 36 0 6 0 0 0 12[b] 1 3[e] 0 57 1
2006–07[102] Premier League 35 1 1 0 1 0 13[b] 0 1[f] 0 51 1
2007–08[103] Premier League 35 0 4 0 3 0 13[b] 0 55 0
2008–09[104] Premier League 38 0 3 0 1 0 12[b] 0 54 0
2009–10[105] Premier League 37 0 2 0 1 0 13[g] 0 53 0
2010–11[106] Premier League 28 0 0 0 0 0 10[h] 0 38 0
2011–12[107] Premier League 21 0 5 0 5 0 31 0
2012–13[108] Premier League 24 0 1 0 2 0 11[h] 0 38 0
Career total 508 3 40 0 35 0 148 1 6 0 737 4

International [edit ]

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
England 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
2010 4 0
Total 38 0

Honours [edit ]

Liverpool Youth
Liverpool
Individual

See besides [edit ]

References [edit ]

Bibliography
  • Carragher, Jamie (2008), Carra: My Autobiography, Bantam Press, ISBN 978-0-593-06102-2