Gerrard: I wanted another year
Steven Gerrard already knew that Jamie Carragher was planning to announce his retirement from football at the end of the season – and has revealed the lengths he went to in an effort to change his friend's mind.
The 35-year-old's decision was confirmed on Thursday, signalling the end of a glittering career for the Bootle native at Anfield which has included 723 appearances in a Liverpool jersey.
Reds captain Gerrard admitted that he knew this day was coming and he tried everything in his power to encourage the Liverpool vice-captain to stay a season longer.
"I've known a little bit longer than other people. I've tried just as hard as everyone else to try to keep him going for a bit longer," the skipper told Liverpoolfc.com.
"But we have to respect his decision. He's had a fantastic career and he feels it's the right time to go out, at the end of the season.
"Hopefully there are still some big performances left in him before he goes.
"I could go on for a long time about him. People mention him alongside the likes of Hansen and Lawrenson, the best defenders that this club has ever had.
"For me, if he's not alongside them he's a little bit above them. That's the biggest compliment I can pay him.
"He's a wonderful player - at his peak, for two or three seasons he was one of the best defenders in the world."
Carragher approached his captain about the subject before announcing his retirement - and although the centre-back ultimately stood by his own decision, Gerrard is happy to respect it.
The midfielder added: "He bounced a few things off me, but he's made the decision himself along with his family.
"He's basically taken no notice of what I said because I was trying for him to push on for another year.
"At times this season it has been difficult for him, not being a regular starter - because he has been a starter since he made his debut. I can respect and understand his decision; we're all going to come to that moment in our careers.
"It's sad for me - I'm going to miss him more than anyone. It's going to be different for me, not having him alongside me as a vice-captain. It's tough.
"Everyone knows what we're going to miss on the playing side. Since I made my debut Jamie has been alongside me in the dressing room and been a close mate of mine.
"He has been through the journey with me as well. I've bounced a lot of things off him, highs and lows, and we've come through it all together.
"It's going to be different and no-one is going to miss Jamie more than me."
Carragher's statement arrived at a time when the No.23 has re-established himself in the Liverpool starting line-up, turning in archetypal performances at Arsenal and Manchester City.
Such was the level of his play in those Barclays Premier League fixtures, Gerrard considers them as a perfect microcosm of the defender's career.
"You've seen in his last couple of performances against Arsenal and City, he has brought leadership into the back four," Gerrard concluded.
"He organises, he's a big voice and he's played very well. His last two performances have typified his career. He has come back in, hasn't played much of late and has been one of our best players."