Benitez salutes Carragher landmark

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez praised Jamie Carragher’s “passion” and “character” as the defender prepared to make his 600th appearance for his hometown club.

Carragher, who joined Liverpool as a schoolboy, is set to reach the landmark away to Portsmouth on Saturday.

Benitez said he did not see Carragher’s feat ever being repeated in future.

“Maybe someone will do it but it will be very difficult. Now there is too much money around the world in football,” the Spaniard said.

“If you have a good player normally someone will make a good offer and the agents have too much power.

“Modern football is more difficult so 600 games in a top side for a local player is a massive achievement.”

Turning to the 31-year-old Carragher’s qualities, Benitez added: “He is a very good example for the younger players. He trains 100 percent in every session and that is good for the mentality of the team.

“Carra has a strong character, passion, he likes to win every game, and that is the type of player you are looking for.

“The last five and a half years have been really good. He was playing as a left-back, right-back and now he has settled down as a centre-back.

“He knows he can help the others and is always talking. That is now one of his main strengths as he can organise the defence.

“He has improved his game and, because he is a centre-back, he has time and he will play for a long time.”

Carragher has 18 months left on his current contract. Liverpool have not yet offered him a new deal but Benitez said he could see Carragher staying at Anfield beyond the finish of his existing deal.

“I don’t see any problem if he continues to play at the same level and we will talk about this in the future as we have a fantastic relationship with him and his agent.

“He is taking care of himself, he is a very good professional, and I think he can play a lot of years.”