Carra: Age no excuse

The Reds' vice-captain might be 33-years-old but he is never one to shirk responsibility and refuses to use age as an excuse.

Liverpool's No. 23 told LFC Weekly: "I think age is in people's heads really. If an older player has a bad game, sometimes he may look for an excuse. I don't feel that much different (to a few years ago).

"There was a spell when I played full-back...like against West Brom - I don't know whether it was because we hadn't played for a few weeks or because it was quite hot, but I didn't feel great that game. When you play in a position where there's lots of running, you feel the intensity a bit more. At centre-back it's different."

Although he still considers himself to be on top form, Carragher admits he never takes his place in the side for granted.

He said: "People always ask me and other players about the future but it's up to the manager, isn't it? The manager decides whether you get picked or not.

"If it got to a stage where I was hardly ever playing and I still felt I could do something, I'm not sure what I'd do. But I'd hate to leave here. I'd hate for my career to just fizzle out because I love playing football so much.

"I think I'm well worth my place at the moment and if I keep the levels that I've been reaching, I don't see why that should change."

He added: "There are sacrifices you need to make, but relatively, when you think what people in other walks of life have to give up, they aren't sacrifices.

"I'd say that me, as well as Stevie (Gerrard), don't really have much of a social life, especially now because preparation is so important in football.

"The other main one for both me and Stevie is that at times during our career, we have played when we're not 100 per cent.

"You're desperate to play, you don't want to let the team down, you fear losing your place.

"I think I'd have to be 100 per cent injured to miss a game."