Dalglish Praises Legend Carragher

Kenny Dalglish believes no-one
deserves to have their career
celebrated more than Jamie
Carragher.
The defender will be honoured
this afternoon when a Liverpool
XI take on an Everton XI at
Anfield in a testimonial to mark
an incredible 15 seasons of
imperious first-team service to
the Reds.

A whole host of Kop legends and
football personalities have
queued up to pay homage to
Carragher ahead of the event -
and Dalglish is the latest to extol
the virtues of the No.23.
"There are not very many
testimonials given out in this day
and age," he told Liverpoolfc.tv.
"For Jamie Carragher, it's very
well deserved.
"It's a great opportunity for
everyone to turn up and thank
him for the service he's given
Liverpool Football Club, which has
been absolutely outstanding.
"Since the age of 18, he's been in
the first team almost
continuously. He fully deserves it
and everything that comes in is
going to good causes in and
around the Merseyside area,
which is further testimony to
Jamie as a person, not just as a
footballer.
"He's a good guy and cares
about the people of Liverpool,
and is also somebody who
realises he's been more
fortunate than others. He wants
to put something back to help
others and you cannot do
anything but admire him for
that."

Carragher first crossed paths
with Dalglish as a youngster
taking his first steps into the
game in the Liverpool schoolboy
leagues.
Dalglish recalled: "He came here
when he was 11. He played for
Bootle boys and trained in
Netherton. I used to go down
and join in with them because
my son Paul was in the same
group, so I knew Carra.
"He was a good striker then - but
he's turned out to be one of the
best defenders the club has ever
seen and certainly one of the
most consistent.
"He's been here for a long, long
time and developed throughout
the years. He's played in midfield,
full-back and centre-back - he'll
probably be 'keeper next year!"
Along with Steven Gerrard,
Carragher has been at the
heartbeat of all Liverpool's
successes over the past 15 years.

Dalglish feels the defender's
Scouse heritage make his
achievements at Anfield that bit
more special.
"The fans love anybody who is
fully committed to the club and
for it to be a local boy I think that
makes it a bit more special for
both parties," he said.
"It must be special for Carra to
come through into the first team
at a club in the city he was born.
He is representing Liverpool and
doing so admirably.
"He can relate to the people who
come along and support - and
they more than relate to him.
They understand if he makes a
mistake, it's an honest mistake
and it's never due to a lack of
endeavour or enthusiasm.
"His dad and his whole family
have been a fabulous influence
on him - people can relate to that
here and they appreciate it."