Jamie Carragher - Club Career

Club Career

Born in Bootle, Merseyside, Carragher attended the former FA school of excellence in Lilleshall in his youth. Although a childhood Everton supporter he chose to join Merseyside rivals Liverpool and in 1996 was a member of their FA Youth Cup winning team along with his friend Michael Owen. He signed a professional contract in October 1996 and then made his first team debut under Roy Evans' management three months later in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough, coming on as a substitute for Rob Jones. Next came his Premiership debut, again coming on as a substitute, against West Ham United. He then started the next game against Aston Villa and marked 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, but Liverpool finished the season in fourth place. In the 1997–98 season, Carragher broke into the first team, making twenty Premier League appearances. The following season he cemented his place in the first-team squad, missing just four league games all season, and Kevin Keegan awarded him his first full international cap. He has also cemented himself as one of Liverpool's greatest players.

Throughout his early years he was essentially used as a utility player spending time as a centre-half, right and left full-back and defensive midfield in a squad that was often negatively labelled the "Spice Boys". Carragher, young and caught up with the negative media reputations of that squad initially, learned to shun the spotlight and focus on football as new coach Gérard Houllier used him consistently in a new continental side focused on discipline and a new era. Carragher's versatility meant he would be deployed to fill in wherever there was a hole, but ironically harmed his ability to hold down a first team position of his own. In 1999–2000 he played mainly as a right-back, this season saw one of Carragher's darkest Liverpool moments as he scored two own goals in 3–2 home defeat to Manchester United, then in 2000–01 he made the left-back position his own. 2001 also saw Carragher gain his first senior trophies: the FA Cup, UEFA Cup, League Cup (scoring in the shootout in the final against Birmingham), Community Shield and European Super Cup.

He hit the headlines in January 2002 during an FA Cup tie against Arsenal, when he threw a coin back into the stands that had been tossed at him, Carragher earned a red card. He escaped an FA misconduct charge after apologising, but did receive a formal police warning about the incident.

From 2002 till 2004, Carragher was hit by two serious injuries, firstly missing the 2002 FIFA World Cup for an operation on his troublesome knee and later due to a broken leg in the first half of the 2003–04 season after a tackle by Blackburn's Lucas Neill at Ewood Park in the Reds' fifth game of the season. During this period, Carragher's place in the team was also threatened by signings of Steve Finnan and John Arne Riise. However, he succeeded in retaining his place in the team, making 24 appearances in the first half of 2004.

The 2004–05 season was a career defining one for Carragher. New manager Rafael Benítez moved him to centre-half where he managed 56 appearances alongside Sami Hyypiä. Carragher shrugged off the utility tag and established himself as a centre half. Carragher developed a reputation as a strong and positionally astute defender. His partnership with Hyypiä was central in Liverpool's 2004–2005 UEFA Champions League victory. One of the most memorable moments of the match was when Carragher made two vital last-ditch intercept into extra time whilst suffering from cramp. Carragher was voted as Liverpool's player of the year at the end of the campaign. He later went on to captain the team in their 2005 UEFA Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.

On 13 May 2006, Carragher played in the FA Cup final against West Ham. It was his tenth final in as many years of club football. He scored an own goal in the 21st minute, but Liverpool went on to win 3–1 on penalties after the match finished 3–3 after extra-time.

On 9 December 2006, Carragher scored his first league goal since January 1999, in a match against Fulham at Anfield. His central defence partner 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.

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

The 2007–08 season saw Carragher reach his 500th appearance for Liverpool. He was made captain for this match.

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 twosome to be separated by team mates Xabi Alonso, Daniel Agger and others. Manager Rafael Benítez refused to comment any further on the matter. The former England defender 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."

During the 2009–10 season, Carragher made a slow start and many questioned of his performances and whether he should remain in the starting line-up. He however put a solid performance against Manchester United on 25 October 2009, keeping a clean sheet and silencing his critics.

On 31 October 2009, Carragher was sent off in a game against Fulham, this was his first red card in more than seven years.

On 19 December 2009, Carragher recorded his 600th Liverpool appearance, in a 2–0 away defeat to Portsmouth.

On 4 September 2010, a mixture of Liverpool players past and present played an Everton XI in Carragher's charity fund-raising testimonial match. All proceeds from the game at Anfield went to local charities through Carragher's 23 Foundation. 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. Richard Dunne of Aston Villa, with ten, is the only currently active player to have scored more Premiership own goals.

On 28 November 2010, Carragher dislocated his shoulder in a 2–1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, the game being his 450th Premier League appearance for Liverpool. He was out for around three months with the injury as it required surgery. He returned on 6 February against Chelsea.

On 24 February 2011, Carragher came on as a substitute against Sparta Prague at Anfield, to make his 137th European appearance, a British record.

On 17 April 2011, during a match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, both Carragher and John 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.

On 9 May 2011, Jamie Carragher completed his 666th game for Liverpool, in 5–2 victory against Fulham. Putting Carragher second in the list for first team appearances for Liverpool. He is behind only Ian Callaghan, who played a record 857 games for the Merseyside club. On 26 February, Carragher won the League Cup with Liverpool, coming on as substitute for the injured Daniel Agger in the 86th minute.

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 over FC Gomel. Carragher made his first league appearance of the 2012/13 season against West Bromwich albion, coming on as a substitute.