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Jamie Lee Duncan Carragher was born
January 28, 1978 in Bootle, Liverpool.
A boyhood Evertonian, Carragher was
signed for the Liverpool youth team and was part of the
successful FA Youth Cup campaign in 1996, with good friend and
former Liverpool colleague, Michael Owen. Jamie signed his
professional contract with Liverpool in October 1996, but waited
three months for his debut coming on for Rob Jones as a
substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the Coca Cola
Cup semi final. His full premiership debut came against Aston
Villa, a game which he played as a midfielder, and scored at the
kop end!
By the 1998-99 season, Carragher
became an essential member of the Liverpool squad. A versatile
player that could play anywhere along the backline, or as a
holding midfielder. His adaptability and consistent performances
earned him his first England cap against Hungary on April 28th
1999. Carragher was no stranger to international football
because as an under 21, he broke the record for the most capped
player in England’s history.
Liverpool’s manager at the time,
Gerrard Houllier, decided that Carragher was best to be used as
a left back, a position that Jamie made his own with his no
nonsense style of play. This and his never say die attitude,
made Carragher an instant Kop Favourite.
Although a Kop favourite, Carragher
made the wrong headlines in January 2002, when during a cup tie
against Arsenal at Highbury, a member of the crowd through a
coin at him. Without thinking, he tossed it back into the crowd
infront of the referee, and the millions of fans watching the
match live on tv. This brought him an instant red card and an FA
charge.
In the summer of 2003, the
Liverpool manager bought both a left back, John Arne Riise, and
a right back, Steve Finnan, putting questions to where Jamie
would play. This became irrelevant as only 4 games into the
season, an horrific tackle from Blackburn player, Lucas Neil,
broke his leg and put him on the sideline for 6 months. In
typical Carragher style, he cameback and managed to play 24
games that season.
The 2004-05 season saw change at
Liverpool, Manager Gerrard Houllier was sacked, and replaced by
the highly acclaimed Spaniard, Rafael Benitez. This was a career
defining moment for Jamie, as regular centre back, Stephane
Henchoz, was shown the exit door, and Carragher told to fill the
void and partner Sami Hyypia. This partnership clicked instantly
and became the most feared defence in Europe. It was this
partnership mixed with individual brilliance from club captain
Steven Gerrard as well as an heroic performance from Carragher
which brought Liverpool the Uefa Champions League in May 2005.
Coming from 3-0 behind to beat AC Milan on penalties!
A low in Jamies career came in the
2006 World Cup, in which against Portugal he came from the bench
as a penalty specialist only to have his penalty saved and
England loose the shoot out. In July 2007, Jamie Carragher
announced his retirement from international football, blaming
his lack of chances to break into the first eleven, and therfor
concentrating on his beloved Liverpool.
The FA Cup replay against Luton
Town on 15th January 2008 was Jamie’s 500th
Game for the club. As a gesture, Jamie was made captain for the
match, and a guard of honour welcomed him onto the pitch. With
many games left in the tank, Jamie will be looking forward to
adding to the 10 trophies he has won during his career at
Liverpool. |
