Jamie Carragher retired in 2013
Jamie Carragher retired in 2013
Jamie Carragher admits he would've loved to have played on for one more year and challenge for the title at Liverpool - but never thought they were poised to be Premier League challengers.
The Reds defender played more than 700 times but eventually called time on his career in 2013. That bought the curtain down on Brendan Rodgers' first year at Anfield and Carragher, by that point 35, chose to hang up his boots.
Liverpool finished seventh in Rodgers' first year but began to show shoots of promise towards the latter stages of the year. They still finished 28 points behind Manchester United, who claimed the title. The following year though they morphed into contenders and only missed out by two points.
Carragher had to watch on as Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge led the line with the Merseysiders sitting top in the final weeks. Eventually they missed out and the Sky Sports pundit, with hindsight, would have relished the chance to be involved, but never saw a title charge coming.
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He was quizzed on whether he wishes he stayed for another year and told a Telegraph Q&A: "In some ways, yes. I made the decision when no-one could see that 2013-14 season under Brendan Rodgers coming. The club wanted me to stay but I didn’t think it was right and I didn’t want to let the supporters down by performing before the level I and they would have been happy with. That would have been detrimental to the team.
"But in hindsight yes, I would have loved to have been part of that title-challenging season and maybe I could have helped get us over the line. We’ll never know. But I would still make the same decision if I went back because at the time I did not think Liverpool were ready to challenge as they did."
Liverpool were not able to maintain that charge with Suarez's departure proving crucial. He left for Barcelona and the Reds didn't make the top four the following year, which came just before Rodgers was sacked.
Liverpool narrowly missed out on the title in 2014
Liverpool narrowly missed out on the title in 2014 ( Image: GETTY)
Carragher was involved in two major title charges during his time at Anfield. In 2001/02 they finished second to Arsenal despite winning 13 of their final 15 games. Seven years later and it was Manchester United who thwarted Liverpool.
Rafa Benitez was at the helm as the Reds lost just twice all season and won 4-1 at Old Trafford, but ultimately missed out by four points. The Premier League remained the only trophy that Carragher failed to win.
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