Jamie Carragher’s all-time Liverpool XI has stirred some controversy, notably due to his decision to include only two of his former team-mates and just two current players from Arne Slot’s squad. Despite his long and successful career at Liverpool, Carragher’s selections reflect his personal views on the club’s greatest ever players, rather than just his contemporaries.
On the Stick to Football podcast, Jamie Carragher discussed his all-time Liverpool XI, revealing some of his rationale behind his selections. For the goalkeeper, he chose Ray Clemence over Alisson Becker, citing Clemence’s impressive trophy haul as a key factor.
For the back four, Carragher considered several options:
Right Back: He weighed Phil Neal against Trent Alexander-Arnold, ultimately favoring Neal due to his record of four European Cup wins. Carragher acknowledged that by the end of Alexander-Arnold’s career, he might revise his choice in favor of the modern right-back, but Neal’s historical achievements were decisive.
Left Back: Carragher mentioned Steve Nicol as a potential choice for left back, appreciating his contributions across various competitions and his versatility.
Carragher’s comments reflect a deep respect for Liverpool’s historical achievements, balancing legendary figures from past eras with contemporary stars.
Jamie Carragher continued to build his all-time Liverpool XI by selecting Virgil van Dijk and Alan Hansen as his center-back pairing. Carragher praised their potential partnership, noting that Van Dijk’s modern-day excellence complements Hansen’s legendary status.
For left-back, Carragher opted for Steve Nicol over Andy Robertson, despite Robertson’s impressive career. He highlighted Nicol’s versatility and his effective combination with John Barnes on the left flank in the late 80s, noting Nicol’s ability to play across multiple positions.
Carragher’s choice of John Barnes on the wing is no surprise given his admiration for Barnes’ skills. He has often praised Barnes for his technical prowess and finishing ability, calling him the best player he’s ever trained or played with. Carragher’s reverence for Barnes reflects a deep appreciation for his impact during Liverpool’s successful eras.
