Werner: Door always open for Carra
Liverpool chairman Tom Werner today spoke of his great admiration for Jamie Carragher and admitted: 'The door will always be open for him here.'
The veteran centre-back will bring the curtain down on a glittering 16-year Reds career when he plays his 737th and final match for the club against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday before hanging up his boots.
Ahead of the game, Werner joined an ever-growing list of people eager to pay homage to Carragher by hailing his contribution to Liverpool over the course of his career.
"To spend 16 years in the first team at Liverpool is testament to Jamie's professionalism," Werner told the Liverpool Echo.
"He really is an extraordinary person and a man of remarkable integrity.
"His love for the club is such that he has always put Liverpool first. In moments of adversity he's been there, lifting players around him.
"He gives everything and suffers for the team.
"It's the character of the man which I've found so impressive. He shows that enormous heart off the field as well as on it. I saw that in Boston last year when he was with his son. He's a real family man.
"He has shown his commitment to the Merseyside community and his generosity with the work of his Foundation and all the charity work he does.
"I was talking to Gerard Houllier at a football dinner a few months ago and what he said was absolutely spot on. He said that everyone knows all about Jamie's work ethic and how fantastic that is.
"But Gerard said that in addition to his leadership qualities he felt that technically Jamie had been under-rated.
"He's been a defender of great talent and has had an illustrious career. Very few players in sports have a career like Jamie.
"It's extremely rare in any sport for someone to dedicate their whole career to one club, especially in an age where loyalty tends to be secondary to other considerations.
"He has been with the club since he was a young child and I will always be appreciative for what Jamie has done.
"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I'll be able to get across for Sunday's game, but I spoke with Jamie when I was in the UK a few weeks ago and thanked him on behalf of everyone for the immense contribution he has made to Liverpool Football Club."
Carragher will take up a punditry role with Sky Sports next season, though Werner admits he was hopeful the 35-year-old would re-consider his decision to retire.
Nonetheless, the Reds chairman insists the Bootle boy will always be welcome back at Anfield.
Werner said: "We hoped he would play on for another season but we fully respect his decision to retire.
"He wants to leave the party before the last call and I understand that.
"I have nothing but admiration for him - both on and off the field.
"It's a big challenge to try to replace him. He's a unique individual and I think finding another player just like him will be impossible.
"We wish Jamie well in his new career and the door will always be open for him at Liverpool.
"I really hope we see him back at the club one day because with all that experience and knowledge we know he has so much to offer.
"Whether it's as a coach, an analyst or whatever, there will always be a job for him here."
A new documentary featuring Jamie Carragher's managers, teammates and some high-profile opponents airs for the first time at 7pm BST on Friday, May 24 on LFC TV. 'Carragher' will also be available on LFC TV Online and will conclude a fortnight of tributes across club media.
