Liverpool FC Forum

by **Bruno Zidane!** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 2:03 pm

Rafael Benitez today paid Jamie Carragher the ultimate tribute by insisting the Liverpool defender is one of the best he has ever worked with.
Carragher has been immense in the centre of the Reds' defence this season, so much so that Benitez is now talking about him in the same breath as Valencia stopper Roberto Ayala - one of the best in the business.

"When he plays like he did against Deportivo La Coruna, Carragher is at the same level as a defender as any of those I worked with at Valencia," said Benitez.

"With the tactical work we do with him, he will improve even more. What I like about him is he is always talking on the pitch. He has a very good mentality.

"His relationship with those around him is very important to us. In Valencia, everyone talked about Roberto Ayala, but the player who took control of the defence was actually Pellegrino. It was he who would give the instructions about whether to move forward or sit back.

"Ayala was the better player in the partnership, but he always played better with Pellegrino. When he was alongside someone else, he wasn't the same.

"Carragher has more confidence in himself as a centre half now. He knows exactly what to do as a defender and that makes it easier for him to play so well.

"I knew about him before I came here because I had seen him play right back. That's a different role, of course, and I was told he also played a lot at left back. But I had heard he played very well at the end of last season as a central defender.

"He's quick, good in the air and aggressive and he knows to keep the passes simple."

by **bigmick** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 2:45 pm

JC is probably the most improved player under Rafa in my view. He seems to be taking over 'head defender' duties from Sami who's struggling a little. Someone started a thread a while ago about him being a possible captain and that sounds like a good idea to me.

by **Redtribe** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 2:58 pm

JC would make a good captain in the future as he is vocal and passionate and loves LFC Dearly but i would rather him have at least another year focusing on his defending at CH with Rafa's tactics

by **whylongball?** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:17 pm

He looked very solid the last game with great controlled aggression. Very consistent so far. I really don see why not make him the captain

by **azriahmad** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:40 pm

Greetings, people.

I have been away in Japan and had lost touch as I was occupied on a business trip and only today had a chance to catch-up. These Japs had been occupied by a typhoon which was the strongest since '91, and I only knew about the result of the Depor game today from the internet!

Carra has been a massive player for us this season and his attitude is simply gigantic. Good on him to get this praise from Rafa.

by **The_Rock** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 5:49 pm

Carra is single-handedly saving our defence every game. We need another pacy centre-back to compliment carragher.

by **the great one** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 6:10 pm

Josie Gornall wrote:Ant Gornall

dom1 wats the point

by **Redrider** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 7:56 pm

bigmick wrote:JC is probably the most improved player under Rafa in my view. He seems to be taking over 'head defender' duties from Sami who's struggling a little. Someone started a thread a while ago about him being a possible captain and that sounds like a good idea to me.

Should be groomed as Stevie G's stand - in. Starting against Millwall if Rafa rest big Sam Hyp'

by **A.B.** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:19 pm

Carragher is a great player, he plays with his heart in every game and gives 100% on the pitch. He should be captain not Hyypia.

by **67-1098209959** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:22 pm

Carragher has all of the passion, commitment and character but what a shame he has almost zero natural footballing ability.

by **Starbridge42** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:22 am

I think JC would do well as captain.

He's done very well so far though maybe comparing him to Ayala is a bit much at this stage.

Oh yeah, and he's not exactly the unsung hero is he? He's been getting plenty of praise already. Kolob Toure or Claude Makelele, now they're unsung heroes.

by **dawson99** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 12:25 am

not on a gooner or shleski site tho i bet...lol

jc has done the clbu proud, total commitment, and ehs starting to play a bit as well

by **kindaconfused** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 10:36 am

bigmick

Have to agree with yer comments again but I think we might be forgetting JC was an England player before this season, so he was already operating at an international level before Raf arrived.

I agree he has got better and the reason he is succesful and can keep up with more talented players is because of his passion. I always remember when LFC got thrashed by Portsmouth he spoke from the heart how gutted he was for the fans, link this to his effort on the pitch and he is some player.

If we had that committment in the forwards then we would motor!

by **bigmick** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:38 am

Strikes me that he may be one club man. We may still be talking about him as a first-team regular in five or six years. It wasn't my idea the captain thing, (got a feeling it was St Mikes) but given the feeling that we won't keep Stevie forever it might be a good idea.

by **Redrider** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 1:03 pm

bigmick wrote:Strikes me that he may be one club man. We may still be talking about him as a first-team regular in five or six years. It wasn't my idea the captain thing, (got a feeling it was St Mikes) but given the feeling that we won't keep Stevie forever it might be a good idea.

'Hole in one', Bigmick.

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Praise for the unsung hero... - ...and im 100% with you rafa.

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