Ayre hails 'colossal' Carragher
Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre today paid tribute to Jamie Carragher after the 35-year-old defender announced he is to retire at the end of this season.
The Reds legend joined the club's youth system at the age of nine and has gone on to make more than 700 senior appearances.
Carragher made the announcement earlier today so that the both he and the club can focus entirely on finishing the season in the best possible fashion without any distraction about this future.
"It speaks volumes about Jamie's selfless nature that even the manner of this announcement is putting the team and the club before himself," said Ayre. "It's what he's done throughout his entire career.
"He told me he didn't want the manager or myself fending off questions regarding his future when he had already made his decision. Jamie's focus, like ours, is on finishing the season as strongly as possible.
"Everyone within the game knows that Jamie Carragher has been a colossal figure for Liverpool Football Club. You don't have a career spanning three decades at the very top of this game unless you are an exceptional player and what's more, he epitomises the values this club was built on and continues to stand for.
"In line with Jamie's wishes we will wait until the season concludes before giving him the true recognition he deserves. We will also wait until that time to comment further regarding what involvement he may have with the club going forward."