Former Liverpool Trio Give Verdict On Carragher’s Retirement

Liverpool legends Mark Larwenson, John Aldridge and Ian Callaghan all believe Jamie Carragher will play a significant off-the-field role at the club upon his retirement at the end of the season.

Carragher revealed last week his retirement from football after 16 years in the game, despite the 35 year old having made a recent return to the first team.

Lawrenson believes Carragher can still have a huge impact on the Liverpool squad should he be handed a backroom role at the end of the season

"Jamie would be great on the training pitch," he said in the Liverpool Daily Post. "A great link between the players and manager and the team and the supporters.

"It is so important to keep that link, especially with Jamie who has been the perfect role model."

Aldridge added that he believes Carragher's career will flourish regardless of his destination, though admitting he'd love to see the stalwart defender stay at Anfield.

He explained: "I would like to see Jamie Carragher do what Jamie Carragher wants to do.

"He deserves to go down whichever avenues he wants, whether that be a coaching role or moving into television.

"Whatever he chooses, I wish him all the very best.

"From a selfish point of view as a Liverpool fan, I would love to see him stay around at Melwood.

"With so many youngsters coming through the club now, who better to have around them than Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher?

"There are no better players to show the new lads 'The Liverpool Way'. He's a great role model for the younger players and Jamie would be able to teach the new lads what the Premier League is all about.

"I would like him to stay at the club in the way they used to under Bill Shankly.

"If there is not a coaching role available then, at the very least, he could become an ambassador for the club."

Callaghan, Liverpool's record appearance maker having played 857 times for the club, says Carragher possesses the mentality and the intelligence to eventually move into management.

"Having met Jamie, I would expect he will want to stay in the game," he said.

"He is football mad and apart from being a great player, he is a top man for stats on the game. He is an intelligent guy.

"He has that mentality you need to be a manager."