To mark his 700th appearance in a Liverpool shirt, Liverpoolfc.com has collected a series of tributes to defender Jamie Carragher.

Brendan Rodgers…

“He’s a phenomenal character. I’ve watched him from the outside for many years and to play 700 games at a club as prestigious as this is incredible. He’s a model professional and if we can develop kids here like Jamie Carragher and go on to have a career like him then certainly the club won’t go too far wrong.”

Kenny Dalglish…

“Since the age of 18, he’s been in the first team almost continuously. He’s a good guy and cares about the people of Liverpool, and is also somebody who realises he’s been more fortunate than others. He wants to put something back to help others and you cannot do anything but admire him for that.”

Steven Gerrard…

“The sacrifices he makes off the pitch and the effort he puts into every game and training session means he deserves all the accolades he gets. He’s a winner. He hates getting beaten even in five-a-sides. The biggest compliment I can give him is that he’s a winner. If you’ve got that as a footballer, it helps you to find levels of consistency. He’s someone all young players should look up to because you don’t have to worry how he’s going to perform in a game. You know.”

Roy Evans…

“Jamie is a one off. A lot of players try to play like someone else but Carra plays like Carra. He knows what he can and can’t do and plays to his strengths. That’s why he’s a great player. There’s only one Jamie Carragher.”

Rafa Benitez…

“I don’t think we would have won the European Cup without him because we had some problems in defence. He was really good. We needed him and, you know, when he is on the pitch, his teammates work a little bit harder. He was a key player for us that night.”

Alan Hansen…

“Carragher is 10 times a better defender than I could ever be. He is a completely different player. He is a great defender whereas I was not. I think if we look at Liverpool greats over the years – and there have been a lot of them – Carragher is up there with the best of them.”

Pepe Reina…

“Carra is the head and shoulders of Liverpool and probably one of the best players to ever play for this club.”

Jamie Redknapp…

“There is no modern player quite like Jamie Carragher. Go to Anfield when he is playing and listen during those quieter spells of a match and you will hear what I mean: a footballer managing a game on the pitch. His direction is delivered with an unmistakable Scouse shriek, but the words and their intentions are very clear. Jamie will be pulling people around, commanding and instructing his teammates.”

Ian Rush…

“If his team are losing he will have a go at his teammates and that’s what he’s all about. Jamie just loves playing football and he knows everything about Liverpool Football Club and its history. He can tell me certain games where I scored and I don’t even remember it!”

Steve McClaren…

“Jamie is one of those unsung heroes every team needs. He is very professional and very conscientious, someone who quietly gets on with his job and is probably only missed when he is not in the side.”

David Moyes…

“Ever since I became Everton manager I have always recognised Jamie as an exceptional professional and player. He is part of the heartbeat of Liverpool and he epitomises a lot of what the club stands for.”

Sami Hyypia…

“I would think he is the best defender I’ve played with.”

Tommy Smith…

“Jamie will not just make a good manager one day, but a good Liverpool manager, of that I have no doubt. I was fortunate to play for years under Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. They were all different but all had fantastic strengths, a passion for the game and a love of Liverpool FC. Not one of them would tolerate a player giving anything but his best, week in week out. They were born winners who loved the fans and reminded their players of their duty towards them. Shanks in particular worshipped the fans as much as they loved him. All sound familiar? They are exactly the qualities and characteristics which Jamie Carragher possesses in abundance.”

Roy Hodgson…

“He’s everything I expected him to be. I expected him to be a good defender, a great club man, a tremendous enthusiast, a very good trainer, a first-class professional and a person with an attitude you wish you could find in every player you work with. I can’t say good enough things about him and I think the most important thing about him is said by his record – all the games he has played, all the sacrifices and great effort he has made for Liverpool Football Club. His record tells you everything you need to know about him.”

Martin Kelly…

“He has definitely got all the attributes to become a manager. He would definitely get the best out of players. He won’t settle for second best and I look forward to seeing such a massive player for the club go into management.”

John Arne Riise…

“He is the nicest person off it but on the pitch he is very aggressive. You can always hear him talking, but as a defender you need that – you need to keep a line and push up and down. He gives you some, but in a good way, and it’s always for the good of you and the team.”

Danny Wilson…

“He is great in training. Every session he gives it 100 per cent and that’s something as a young player you need to learn because he has been doing that at the top level all of his career.”

The man himself…

“There may be more skilful players in the squad, but no one can ever say I don’t give 100 per cent.”