'He was as good as Hansen'
Former Liverpool captain Mark Wright believes Jamie Carragher deserves to be held in the same high esteem as the likes of Kop legend Alan Hansen.
Bootle's finest called time on his Anfield career when he made his 737th and final appearance in a Red shirt during last Sunday's season finale against Queens Park Rangers.
As for how he will be remembered as a player, Wright insists Carragher will go down as one of the Anfield greats alongside defenders of the calibre of Hansen, Phil Thompson, Mark Lawrenson and Ron Yeats.
"He will be sorely missed by Liverpool and I think it will be a hard task to replace Jamie because he is such a vital cog in the wheel," the 1992 FA Cup-winning captain told LFC TV's new 'Carragher' documentary.
"You can't speak highly enough of Jamie for the things that he achieved and the standards he set at Liverpool. It's going to be a hard task for someone to follow in his footsteps.
"For me he is up there with all the great centre-backs Liverpool have had but not quite as a good as me! [laughs].
"Jamie is easily up there with the best. You are talking about being up there with the likes of Alan Hansen, who was a fantastic player.
"They were different players, so Jamie would be better than Alan at some things and maybe not as good at other sides of the game.
"If you asked an ex-centre-back to describe what a centre-back should be about you would say Jamie Carragher because he was a defender who blocked things, made tackles, put his body on the line and got cuts for the team cause."
One of the attributes Wright believes Liverpool will miss the most is Carragher's vocal presence.
He added: "He had a major impact on the team. I don't think Liverpool are the most vocal of sides, but Jamie was. He was a major organiser and that in any team is essential.
"If you are going to achieve things and do things you need a leader and a leader at the back to organise.
"It's like a game of chess as you are pushing people around and pushing people in. He played everybody's game for them and he did that since he came into the side until the day he retired.
"His achievements at Liverpool were unbelievable and thoroughly deserved as well.
"You would want him in your side every day of the week because of his passion and commitment.
"There are players who led by example by the things they did. Jamie organised and dictated the play and that is a rare attribute in today's game.
"How many centre-halves do you see these days that are so commanding and are such an organiser?
"He was always there, blocking tackles, making tackles. The art of defending I think is dying out and Jamie was all of the things I mentioned above, and to replace him is going to be near impossible. I truly believe that because of everything the boy has achieved.
"He is not only a great player and a great leader but he's a great lad, too.
"He always will be in my eyes a legend at Liverpool FC because of the things he's achieved and the way that every pro looks up to him.
"I'm not only talking about the pros at Liverpool but all the pros worldwide. They know the name Jamie Carragher because of what he is about as a man.
"At his peak he was absolutely fantastic. He was always blocking things and making that last-ditch tackle to save Liverpool. He always wanted to do the right things for Liverpool. He lived and breathed for Liverpool Football Club."
As the former Kop No.23 prepares to embark on a new role as a TV pundit, Wright insists he would love to see him one day return to the training pitch and become a manager.
"He has got everything to make a good manager," said Wright.
"There is a role in football for Jamie Carragher. He would know who the centre-halves were in Bulgaria or Liechtenstein because he is an encyclopedia when it comes to football.
"In that respect he is tailor-made for football and I don't wish him bad luck if he goes into the media but I hope he does in some way, shape or form end up as a manager because I think he would be exceptional.
"He's honest, he's thorough, he knows the game inside out. He's had a distinguished career, he speaks well although at times because he is so Scouse you might not be able to understand him!
"He's just enthusiastic, he's strong, he's a leader, he knows systems and he knows players.
"It would be a crying shame if he didn't end up from my point of view as a manager, because I think the game needs people and British people like Jamie."
Watch a new documentary featuring Jamie Carragher's managers, teammates and some high-profile opponents at 1.30pm and 7.30pm BST on Sunday, May 26 on LFC TV. 'Carragher' is also available on demand for LFC TV Online subscribers.
