Carra: The time is right to go

Retiring Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher insists his recent extended run in the side has only convinced him this is the right time to bow out.

The 35-year-old effectively made his decision a year ago when he was struggling for a first-team place under former manager Kenny Dalglish.

That situation did not change under new boss Brendan Rodgers as he made just one league start up until mid-January, since when he has started 14 of Liverpool’s 16 in the Premier League.

He will make his 737th and final appearance when he leads out the Reds out at Anfield against QPR on the last day of the season at Anfield.

But there will be no tears from the centre-back when the match is over – and no thoughts about a u-turn.

“It’s made me go the other way, to be honest. It’s made me think it is the right time,” he said.

“It’s nice that I’m in the side and people are saying I’m doing well and why not stay for another year?

“It’s better than them saying you should have gone a year ago.

“I prefer it to be like that and get out while it’s going well because it can easily change.”

Asked when he made his decision to quit Carragher added: “About 12 months ago, the end of the season.

“I was in and out of the side with Kenny. I was thinking about it in the summer but I had a year to go and a new manager coming in.

“I knew then it was always going to be my last season.”

Carragher’s departure will leave captain Steven Gerrard, who misses the final match of the season after a shoulder operation, as the one remaining half of Liverpool’s ’Scouse heartbeat’.

The academy is producing more players but there are fewer opportunities for local lads like Carragher, from Bootle, and Huyton-born Gerrard.

However, the defender believes the club is in a healthy position at all levels.

“It’s always good to have a few local lads in the side. That’s the aim of everyone,” he said.

“Every club will say they want to bring players through from the academy, that’s why you have academies and put so much time and money into it.

“But the players have got to be good enough. If they’re good enough, brilliant - get them in there.

“I’m always positive about the club. The last few years haven’t been great for us, with league positions and missing out on the Champions League.

“But with the new manager coming in and the run we’ve been on in the second half of the season it gives us a lot to look forward to for next season.”

Carragher also believes the departure of Alex Ferguson from Manchester United may provide an opening for other clubs.

“I think it does a little bit more. He’s obviously been a top manager – his record is there for all to see,” he added.

“They’ve got another top manager in David Moyes, I’m sure he’ll do a great job there.

“I’m sure everyone is looking at it and seeing how it will go: maybe it will give other people a chance to get in there if there is maybe a bit of uncertainty at the club.

“But Manchester United are probably aware of that as well so I’m sure they’ll be doing everything to stop that.”