JAMIE CARRAGHER will get a wonderful reception at Anfield on Sunday and rightly so. He has been a magnificent servant to Liverpool Football Club.

I remember Carra when he was coming through the ranks. I left Liverpool in February 1996 and before that I often trained with him.

This was in the days before the Kirkby Academy so everything was at Melwood back then.

On Mondays the coaching staff would mix everyone from the first team, the reserves and the youth team up for five-a-side.

He was still a young boy but what stuck in my mind about Carra was how much he enjoyed being there.

That wasn’t the case with a lot of the apprentices but Carra just loved his football and he loved being around the place, whether he was playing, talking about football or watching it.

There were no indications back then he would go on to become what he did. He was just a kid but I remember looking at him and thinking ‘I hope you’re good enough to make it’. I’m delighted he did.

Every time he was given a bit of hope he grabbed it. He kept pushing himself and fought so hard not to lose it.

When he first broke into the side in 1997 he played in midfield, then he spent time at full-back. Once he moved to centre-half under Rafa Benitez he grew and grew.

People will remember him as a player who always gave 100%, no matter what the occasion. That has always been his way.

Over the years he has improved technically and become a better player but he always retained that determination and total commitment he showed as a young pro.

He’s a one-club man and there aren’t many of them in modern football.

Carra is a dying breed. A great organiser, a leader and someone who enjoys defending. He has always been great at spotting danger.

With the focus on his attitude and passion, he hasn’t always got the credit he deserved for his ability. He wouldn’t have been able to stay at the top for so many years without having great attributes.

That night in Istanbul in 2005 epitomised what Carra is all about.

Even when he could hardly walk because of cramp, everyone knew he wasn’t going to chuck the towel in. I don’t think going off every entered his head. He was heroic that night and found a way to get through it.

There will never be another Jamie Carragher.