Carragher says attitude has kept him in Liverpool team

Posted Saturday, September 04, 2010 by BBC.com

Carragher says attitude has kept him in Liverpool team Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher says his strong character has kept him playing at the top level since 1997.

Carragher, 32, celebrates his 15th season at Anfield, with a testimonial against an Everton XI on Saturday.

"I'd say I was good enough to play Premier League football," he told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"To play for Liverpool I probably needed to add something and I think my dedication, desire and commitment has made me play at the level I've played."

Carragher scored on his full Anfield debut against Aston Villa in 1997, playing as a central midfielder.

He later spent a few seasons playing at both left and right-back before building a solid reputation as a centre-half under Rafa Benitez.

Carragher was a precocious talent at schoolboy level with England but he attributes his rise to the top, in part, to his strong work ethic.

"There were lots of players playing for England under-16's and we were all as good as each other and then different players, for whatever reason ended up in non-league and the lower leagues.

"Sometimes you scratch your head and wonder why because we were all as equally talented as each other," added Carragher.

"Maybe that's one of the reasons why certain players go a bit further, maybe the mental side."

Despite preparing for his testimonial, from which all profits will go to his charitable foundation, Carragher says he is not intending to hang up his boots just yet.

"He [Roy Hodgson] is the main man and it's up to him to decide if I play but I'll keep doing what I always do, training well and try to make it as hard as possible for him not to pick me."