'He's still hungry, even in 5-a-side'
Mike Marsh believes the fact Jamie Carragher remains as keen as ever to win in the Melwood five-a-side matches demonstrates his hunger to success hasn't diminished in the slightest.
The vice-captain may have turned 35 last week, but returned to Brendan Rodgers' starting XI to turn in two outstanding defensive performances in the recent draws against Arsenal and Manchester City.
Marsh isn't surprised by the impact Carragher has made since being restored to the team having watched him at close quarters on a daily basis at Melwood.
The first-team coach told Liverpoolfc.com: "On Wednesday, we had a small training group and had four lads up from the Academy to make the group up to 10 - and Carra was out there, snapping at people's heels trying to win the five-a-side at the end as keenly as he ever has.
"He's been fantastic and hasn't put a foot wrong in the games he's played this season, not just in recent weeks.
"He adds a lot of organisation to the team - he's a good talker.
"He's trained ever so well, been patient and waited for his chance, shown good fitness levels -obviously he turned 35 last week but played two games in four days and looks like a spring chicken, to be fair to him!"
Under Rodgers' tutelage, Liverpool have blooded a lot of youngsters into the first team this season and Marsh believes they'll do well to learn from Carragher.
Though the Scouser believes it's not only our starlets who can pick up tips from a man who has made 723 appearances for the Reds.
"I think all the players can learn from him as he's got that much experience," said Marsh. "He organises the players around him as well as organising himself. I think we could all take a leaf out of his book in encouraging your teammates to get through a game.
"A player who has played that many games for Liverpool - or anybody - at the top level will obviously command a great deal of respect, and with him being a local boy, it means a lot to him to have that much experience and to be able to pass it on to the younger players on the pitch."
He added: "Football has changed from what it was five or 10 years ago. The rewards are there for all to see, but I think the majority of players are living their lives in the right way, trying to be as grounded as they can and dedicating themselves to the career of a professional footballer.
"Carra's path would be the right path to follow. If you've played that many games and be in the condition he is in at the age of 35, you'll have done ever so well."
Meanwhile, Marsh believes Liverpool's dominant performances in the 2-2 draws away at Arsenal and City demonstrate the strides forward being made under Rodgers.
The Reds could consider themselves unfortunate not to have taken six points from the two contests having approached the games with an attacking mentality.
Marsh said: "I think it shows the progress we're making - not only the fact we picked up points in both games, but also the way we played. It showed a lot of promise for the future.
"We've been progressing nicely as the season has developed. Since Christmas, [our form] has snowballed and we've been picking up quite a lot of positive results, apart from the Oldham fixture, and I think things are going well."
Liverpool's players will begin filtering back to Melwood following the internationals over the coming days - and Marsh is confident they'll be able to pick up where they left off ahead of Monday's clash with West Bromwich Albion.
"It [the international break] can be frustrating but we know the internationals are coming and we have to deal with them as best we can. Fortunately for ourselves, we've got a lot of players that are away on international duty and that shows how many good players we've got at the club.
"But we'll carry on where we left off, doing the same work we did before the break and take it into the game on Monday night."