Column: Life without Carra

Maybe it won't hit home during the 90 minutes against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, but come full-time and the team's traditional end of season lap of honour it certainly will.

Jamie Carragher won't be seen in a Liverpool shirt again.

Sunday will be the 737th and final time that he'll represent the club. A clean-sheet would be apt, a goal would be extraordinary, but more importantly this should be a celebration of the career of a true Liverpool legend and a one club man.

But what happens after Sunday?

As Carragher heads off for a new world of television punditry no doubt as incisive as any of the sliding tackles he put in during his 17-year, trophy-laden career, what will become of the club and perhaps most importantly the defenders he's left behind?

We got a little glimpse of the future at Craven Cottage last Sunday, when Sebastian Coates and Andre Wisdom - just 22 and 20 years old respectively - lined up alongside Carragher in a back three during the first half of the 3-1 victory over Fulham.

On the bench the 17-year-old Lloyd Jones - a player only just starting his career as Carragher finishes his - watched on, no doubt learning more and more with every passing minute.

With experienced internationals such as Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel also around but unavailable in west London, not to mention the long-awaited return to fitness of Martin Kelly to look forward to at the start of next season, Carragher can rest assured that he's leaving behind a strong defensive unit for Brendan Rodgers to pick from - all of which will at some point have either played, trained with or studied the work of Bootle's finest.

Yet Carragher is much more than just a defender, he is a leader too.

With Steven Gerrard sent for shoulder surgery it was the No. 23 who led the Reds into battle against Fulham, and he'll do so again when Harry Redknapp's men come calling to Anfield on Sunday on what is sure to be an emotional afternoon.

It will be the 51st and final time that Carragher will be leading the Reds out, but he shouldn't feel that his impending retirement will leave the club short of revered leaders heading into the new season.

Gerrard is of course the captain and the main man, but there is no shortage of players willing to line up on his right hand side and put in a strong shift for their club.

Pepe Reina has captained the Reds on several occasions when Gerrard was injured and Carragher out of favour, whilst Agger, Skrtel, Luis Suarez and Lucas Leiva are also recognised as possessing leadership material.

On an even younger scale, Jordan Henderson will lead out England U21s in their summer tournament in Israel next month, whilst Conor Coady - so overjoyed at making his Premier League debut at Fulham - is a terrific captain for Liverpool's youngsters, a role performed well by Wisdom in the recent past.

Again, all of them will have played in teams captained by Carragher, something which can only benefit them both now and later in their careers.

As for Rodgers, he'll know that the retirement of his most experienced player will leave a huge hole to fill, yet the task is surely something which provides motivation and not trepidation.

Given that so many of his squad will have learned from such a decorated, dedicated professional the Reds boss is starting out from a pretty privileged position as he seeks to fill that Carragher-sized gap in his squad.

Many of the lessons that the defender has passed on to his teammates are sure to be seen around the club for years and years to come, something that is sure to benefit the manager as he seeks to build for a future which lasts far beyond this weekend.

By Sunday afternoon one man who has played a large part in the past may be gone, but his team spirit will live on.

Carra was here.

You can follow Mark on twitter @Mark_Jones86.