10 games that made our No.23

Carra chalked up his 665^th Reds run out against Newcastle United, tying him with Anfield legends Ray Clemence and Emlyn Hughes - though he still has some way to go if he is to surpass Ian Callaghan's astonishing record of 857 appearances for the club.

In tribute to the No.23's achievement, we cast a look back over the 10 matches that have helped establish the 33-year-old as one of the finest centre-backs in world football.

As ever, let us know what you think of our choices by leaving a comment in the box at the foot of this article.

Middlesbrough v Liverpool
League Cup fifth round, January 1997

Liverpool might have crashed out of the League Cup at the Riverside Stadium, but Carragher's substitute appearance gave Reds fans a glimpse of the future.

Replacing Rob Jones with 15 minutes remaining, the defender's versatility was immediately apparent as he slotted into the right-back position.

Liverpool v Aston Villa
Premier League, January 1997

Goals from Carragher have been at a premium since he made his debut over 14 years ago - but he didn't have long to wait for his first. Just 10 days after making his debut, he marked his first start with a goal in front of the Kop.

Carragher was initially pencilled in to play in defence by then manager Roy Evans after Bjorn Tore Kvarme's international clearance didn't arrive in time. However, Carra was asked to display his versatility again after he was selected to play in midfield due to a late illness to Patrik Berger. 

Had it not been for the late switch, he may never have come forward for the set-piece he scored from, but Carragher rose highest from a Stig-Inge Bjornebye corner to head home. This after a fairytale debut began with a yellow card just 20 seconds in!

Click the image below to watch Carra talk about the milestone

Liverpool v Manchester United
Premier League, September 1999

On a day to forget for the Reds, Carragher scored two own goals to give fierce rivals Manchester United a 3-2 victory at Anfield.

Goals from Sami Hyypia and Patrik Berger were not enough to overcome Alex Ferguson's men. Andy Cole netted with a header, but it was Carragher who grabbed the headlines with an unfortunate brace at the wrong end.

Liverpool v Birmingham
League Cup final, February 2001

The first piece of silverware picked up in the famous treble season of 2001 was a League Cup win at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff - a venue the Reds would go on to frequent regularly.

Gerard Houllier's men went into the game as heavy favourites against the division one outfit, and a beautifully-struck Robbie Fowler effort gave them the lead on the half-hour mark. A stoppage-time penalty from Darren Purse took the game to extra-time, which led to penalties.

With the shootout level at 4-4, Carragher coolly placed his spot-kick high to 'keeper Ian Bennett's left - and Andy Johnson missed the following penalty to give Liverpool their first trophy since 1995.

Barcelona v Liverpool
UEFA Cup semi-final, April 2001

Gerard's Houllier's men were the underdogs going into the Nou Camp with Barcelona boasting such attacking talents as Patrick Kluivert, Xavi and the peerless Rivaldo.

With a clear game-plan to try and contain, Carragher was one of the standout players in a performance which put him on the path to becoming a defender of world class.

Yet again showing his versatility, Carra played the game, and the majority of the season in fact, at left-back and earned plaudits from fans and pundits alike for his performances.

The 0-0 draw went a long way to securing a passage through to the UEFA Cup final, as the Reds beat Barca 1-0 at Anfield in the return leg.

Liverpool v Chelsea
Champions League semi-final, May 2005

Rafa Benitez's side had already overcome Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen on the road to Istanbul, and Carragher was firmly established as one of the finest defenders in Europe when Champions-elect Chelsea came to town.

In a game that is now legendary, Luis Garcia's goal after just four minutes was enough to send Liverpool to their first European Cup final in 20 years.

As Jose Mourinho's men pressed for the strike that would take them through on away goals, Carragher and co. stood firm to add another celebrated chapter to the history books. The scenes after the final whistle will live long in the memory of every fan.

Liverpool v AC Milan
Champions League final, May 2005

Just three weeks later, Liverpool went to the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul to play AC Milan, in the greatest European Cup final of all time.

The Reds' game-plan was undone after just a minute when Paolo Maldini turned home Andrea Pirlo's free-kick. Hernan Crespo then added a brace to give Carlo Ancelotti's men a seemingly unassailable lead at half-time.

But, in an astonishing six-minute comeback, goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso restored parity. In a display that was nothing short of heroic, Carra battled on through extra-time with severe cramp with a will to win that was indefatigable.

Carra even advised goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek to 'do a Brucie' - in reference to Bruce Grobbelaar's 'spaghetti legs' in the 1984 European Cup final win over Roma - when facing Milan's penalties. The Reds claimed their fifth European Cup with a 3-2 shootout win in one of the most famous nights in the club's illustrious history.

Click the image below to watch Pepe Reina chat about Carra

Liverpool v CSKA Moscow
European Super Cup, August 2005

Liverpool headed to the principality of Monaco as Champions of Europe to face UEFA Cup holders CSKA Moscow in the traditional European curtain-raiser.

With Steven Gerrard absent, Carragher captained the side to a 3-1 win to lift the trophy as stand-in skipper.

The Reds fell a goal down to Daniel Carvalho's effort just before the half-hour mark before substitute Djibril Cisse grabbed an equaliser eight minutes from the end to take the game to extra-time. The Frenchman then grabbed a second after 102 minutes, before setting up Luis Garcia seven minutes later.

Liverpool v Chelsea
Champions League semi-final, May 2007

Just two years after beating Chelsea in the 2005 semi-final, the same opposition stood between Liverpool and a second final in three years.

With Jose Mourinho's men leading 1-0 from the first leg, Daniel Agger swept home Steven Gerrard's cleverly disguised free-kick after 22 minutes to even the tie. 

A defence superbly marshalled by a colossal Carragher kept out the attacking talents of Didier Drogba, Joe Cole and Frank Lampard to send the tie beyond extra-time and into penalties. The Reds beat Chelsea 4-1 on spot-kicks to book a date in the final with AC Milan in Athens.

Liverpool v Luton
FA Cup third round replay, January 2008

In the game that marked Carragher's 500^th appearance in a Liverpool shirt, a guard of honour was formed before kick-off for the defender. 

Taking to the pitch with his son James, Carragher was warmly applauded by both sets of fans, and he was made captain for the game by manager Rafa Benitez. A Steven Gerrard hat-trick and strikes from Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel saw off Luton, as the Reds cruised to a 5-0 win.