Jamie Carragher decides to retire at end of season

The 35-year-old defender from Bootle, who has made more than 700 senior appearances for the Reds since his debut in January 1997, revealed that he had decided to end the speculation surrounding his future and to hang up his boots.

Carragher said: “This will be my last season at Liverpool and my last as a professional footballer.

“I’m making this announcement now because I don’t want the manager or the club to be answering questions on my future when I’ve already decided what I am going to do.”

The former England international won a number of trophies during his time at Anfield, most famously the Champions League in 2005.

He also won the Uefa Cup in 2001, two FA Cups, two Uefa Super Cups and three League Cups, as well as sitting second behind Ian Callaghan in the club’s all-time appearance table.

And Carragher confirmed that he will continue until the end of the season and make no further comment on his future until then.

He added: “I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best for Liverpool Football Club, as I’ve done my entire career since joining aged just nine years old.

“It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so and thankful for all the support I have had.

“There are many memories I want to share and people to thank, but now is not the time for that.

“I won’t be making any further comment on this decision until the end of the season.

“All our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the league this season and trying to win the last remaining trophy we are competing in.”