Liverpool stalwart Jamie Carragher has admitted that he is frustrated at no longer being an automatic selection for the club, but will remain professional in his bid to return to the first team.
Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger have been given the nod by Kenny Dalglish more often than not this season, but with the Dane recovering from a cracked rib, Carragher will be given the opportunity to play over the next coming weeks.
Despite this, the veteran defender wants to play every week and is not accustomed to starting games from the bench.
“I can’t lie, it has been difficult at times,” Carragher told the club’s official magazine.
“But I’ve said it loads of times in interviews: you have to be respectful to the manager and the other players.
“Privately at times I’m frustrated but that’s because I’m a footballer, I want to play and I’m passionate – I wouldn’t be here in the first place otherwise.
“But I realise this happens to everyone at a certain age. It also reminds me what I’ve done.
“I’ve played for Liverpool’s first-team pretty much every week for 16 years.
“When you do it every week, it slips your mind a little but when you play the odd game against Oldham or Brighton at Anfield in the cups and you leave the pitch knowing you’ve won well and done all right yourself, it’s a great feeling.
“So it sinks in more when you’re not playing,” he stated.
Carragher is also eyeing more success before he quits the game, and is looking forward to playing in Europe again next season.
“I want to win more before the end of my career. That’s why I’m desperate for the FA Cup and to play in Europe again.
“At the moment we’re definitely in the Europa League and I know people knock it but I’d love to reach the final of that competition.
“I’ve been to three in Europe so far. To have four in your career would be a fantastic achievement.
“At the end of a career you’re desperate more than ever for medals, grabbing as much as you can as you go,” he confessed.
By Gareth McKnight
[ad_pod id=’dfp-mpu’ align=’right’]