With more than 600 appearances for Liverpool, Jamie Carragher has become one of the club’s longest-serving players, despite being a boyhood fan of Merseyside rivals Everton.

Carragher made his debut for the Reds in a League Cup tie against Middlesbrough in 1996 and went on to establish himself in the team during the next two seasons.

A strong, physical defender, Carragher was primarily used as a full-back on either side of the defence under Gerard Houllier, and can also play as a defensive midfielder.

But it is as a central defender that he has thrived, after being moved there upon Rafa Benitez’s arrival at Anfield in 2004, developing a strong partnership with Sami Hyypia.

Carragher played a key role in Liverpool winning the UEFA Champions League in 2005 with several man-of-the-match performances during the campaign, including playing through cramp in the final against AC Milan.

He has won ten trophies during his career at Liverpool, including the FA Cup in 2001 and 2006, the League Cup in 2001 and 2003, and the UEFA Cup in 2001. He made 58 appearances during Liverpool’s famous Treble season in 2001.

Now 32, he is still first choice at Liverpool and along with Steven Gerrard, is seen as an important figure by the fans.

Carragher made his international debut in 1999 and has amassed over 30 caps but has often been used as a substitute. Frustration with not being first choice led him to retire from international football in 2007 but he was persuaded to change his mind by England manager Fabio Capello and make himself available for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

He missed the 2002 FIFA World Cup due to injury but made four appearances at Germany 2006, missing a penalty in the quarter-final against Portugal, which saw England knocked out of the tournament.