'Emlyn, Lawro, Phil... he'd fit'
Alan Hansen shared a defensive partnership with some of Liverpool's greatest centre-backs during his 14-year career at Anfield, and the Scot believes Jamie Carragher would have easily fitted into that group.
Carragher concluded his own Reds career on Sunday with a 737th and final appearance against Queens Park Rangers, prompting Hansen to reflect on the Bootle native's 'unique' contribution.
"I played with some of the greats at Liverpool," the 57-year-old told LFC TV's new 'Carragher' documentary.
"I played with Tommy, Emlyn, I had a phenomenal partnership with Phil Thompson and then another great partnership with Mark Lawrenson, then Gary Gillespie, then Glenn Hysen. Jamie would have fitted in.
"The style of play that Jamie played at Liverpool was different to the way we played in the '70s and '80s; we pushed up and held our line whereas Jamie tended to drop deeper.
"But we would have adapted - it would have been great to play with him.
"To play 737 games for any club is special; to play it for Liverpool is extra special. In this day and age that sense of loyalty is probably unique. It's not the norm anymore.
"For a top-class player to play so long for a top-class club is beyond the call. He's tremendously loyal; you've got to be great on the pitch as well. He's combined the two, which just sums up Jamie Carragher.
"His heart and soul was in Liverpool Football Club - you could see it on the pitch, you could hear it off the pitch."
The 35-year-old initially settled into the Reds first team as a full-back before switching to a central position following the arrival of Rafa Benitez as boss during the summer of 2004.
Carragher took to his changed role with ease and developed a harmonious relationship alongside Sami Hyypia - a partnership Hansen places among the finest the Barclays Premier League has featured.
The man who won eight league titles at Anfield added: "It was a great partnership - they combined well, they played off one another.
"Their two great strengths combined beautifully; Hyypia was brilliant positionally, great on the ball and had great technique. Jamie was definitely the better defender, stronger in the air, stronger in the tackle and probably stronger mentally.
"It was a perfect fit. That's why when it comes down to defensive partnerships in Premier League history, they are right up with the best of them.
"Central defensive play is basically all about partnership. Jamie has had a few different partners and he has been outstanding in his level of performance with those different partners.
"He has led by example. It was week after week that he was outstanding and he never made a mistake. If you can go 38 league games limiting your mistakes at centre-back, then you're in business."
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.
