Past playersJamie Carragher

A voracious student of the sport, Carragher's unrelenting determination to reach the highest level ensured the Bootle native blossomed into a darling of the Kop.

The second-highest appearance maker in Liverpool history, with more European matches on his CV than any other player, the centre-back claimed nine major trophies with the Reds before waving goodbye at the culmination of 2012-13.

His introduction to senior action arrived at Middlesbrough in January 1997 as a substitute. Ten days later, on his maiden start for the club, he found the back of the net against Aston Villa at Anfield; a rare incident - only four more strikes would follow in his career.

'Carra' was a supreme reader of the game with an analytical mind capable of assessing danger before it spiralled out of control. Bravery, tenacity and reliability also ranked high on his list of characteristics, while the Scouser's versatility boosted his first-team ambitions as a fledgling youngster.

Stationed at left-back in a memorable Liverpool back line, Jamie featured in a total of 58 fixtures throughout the 2000-01 treble season. By its conclusion, the defender was collecting not just his first trophy, but three at once.

Despite initially trying to soldier on with what later transpired to be a broken leg, a serious injury suffered at Blackburn Rovers in September 2003 laid waste to Carragher's campaign. But a new age, for both the defender and the club, was approaching.

Arguably new boss Rafael Benitez's wisest decision in his opening year on Merseyside was to immediately switch Carra to a long-sought central defensive position, in partnership with the elegant and unruffled Sami Hyypia.

The duo produced a series of trademark and miraculous performances en route to Champions League glory in 2005; not least in the final with AC Milan, when Carragher ignored the pain of cramp to form a one-man obstacle in front of the Italians.

With the world finally applauding the consistent standard of Carragher's contribution at Anfield, the defender added a second FA Cup to his medal haul a year later and graduated to become a trusty No.2 to captain and close friend Gerrard.

Stars lined up to participate in his 2010 testimonial at Anfield, although the progression of Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel forced the No.23 to experience the substitutes' bench more frequently than in previous seasons - including for the victorious 2012 League Cup final.

When Brendan Rodgers identified the need for leadership in his defence midway through the next campaign, the Northern Irishman turned to Carragher, and the centre-back seamlessly slotted back into the set-up.

Naturally then, there was a large element of sadness when - despite that renaissance - he decided to hang up his boots with a monumental 737 games to his name and a deafening Anfield send-off ringing in his ears.