'Even my mum's coming to this one!'
You know it's a big game for Jamie Carragher when his mum has asked for tickets.
The 35-year-old will walk out of the Anfield tunnel and onto the famous turf for the final time as a Liverpool player on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers.
And his mum, Paula, who prefers to steer clear of football and has attended only a handful of games throughout his career, will be looking on from the stands.
"In the days leading up to the game, I have been thinking about different things - I need to sort extra tickets," Carragher told Liverpoolfc.com.
"My mum's coming to the game and she doesn't normally go, so that's probably a big thing to sort out!
"The kids, James and Mia, are mascots. They'll come on before the game. Mia's not wearing a kit though - I think she might have a red and white dress on.
"It's a nice gesture from the club. The kids can come on and run around on the pitch, as long as they don't end up fighting!"
Carragher's son James has plenty of experience of taking centre stage in front of the Anfield crowd.
He has joined his dad for numerous end of season parades and accompanied him onto the field through many a special 'guard of honour'.
On such occasions the youngster has sported his Liverpool shirt with pride; however, he is yet to wear one with 'Carragher' on the back, opting instead for the likes of 'Gerrard' and 'Torres'.
This time round, Carragher says, that will simply have to change.
"We've talked about this!" he laughed. "He hasn't actually got my name on any of his shirts.
"We're going to have to get him something sorted because I think he's got Luis Suarez; he's got Joe Allen and he's got Fabio Borini on another one. They're the names on his three kits.
"He hasn't got me. So I'll be running down to the club shop to get a shirt for him."
Carragher has stressed throughout his career the importance of not forgetting his roots and his Bootle upbringing.
As a player and a person, he has managed to remain grounded despite enjoying such widespread, high-profile success.
"It's important I never forget my roots because that's what I believe in," insisted Carragher. "I don't like to see people get too cocky.
"People are always watching for it. One of my favourite lines is: 'Who do you think you are?'
"That can sometimes be all you hear here in Liverpool if someone does something [brash or cocky]. It could even be your own mum and dad who say it to you. I might even say it to my own kids if they come out with something.
"I think Liverpool people don't like to see that cockiness. And I think you've always got to remember where you have come from, especially if you're doing alright for yourself.
"You can't forget your mates, your family or where you've come from."
While his mum will be making a rare appearance at Anfield on Sunday, one man who has been there right from the very start - out on the cold, muddy Sunday league pitches of Bootle, is his dad, Phil.
"He's always been there for me," continued Carragher. "I know now from going to the Academy with my son - my dad still comes with me - the hours you have to put in as a parent.
"You probably don't appreciate that when you're a kid.
"My dad took me to football, to training and when I was at the national school he would travel up every Sunday to watch the games. He's always been there on the line and a few of his mates have as well."
If Sami Hyypia's final game for Liverpool and the poignant lap of honour that followed in May 2009 proved an emotional one, Sunday's game promises to go one step further, as Anfield bids farewell to a true Liverpool great.
There'll be few dry eyes in the stands, but will Carragher be able to hold it together out on the pitch?
"I'll be alright," he said. "I won't start crying like Sami did anyway! I don't think it's good to see a grown man cry, I told Sami that at the time. He knows my feelings on that!
"I'll be thinking about the game and getting a win.
"I'm not an emotional type of person. I'm pretty focused and I know what I want to do. As I'm walking out, I won't be thinking about it being my last game.
"I'll be thinking: 'Right, I want to start this game well. Who am I up against? Who am I marking? What do I need to do to win the game?'
"I'm playing for Liverpool for the last time. I want it to go well and I want us to win."
You can read the first part of our final interview with Carragher here>>
Click here to read the second part of the interview>>
A new documentary featuring Carragher's managers, teammates and some high-profile opponents airs for the first time at 7pm BST on Friday, May 24 on LFC TV.
