Carragher happy to fight for place

Liverpool’s Jamie Carragher says he respects Kenny Dalglish’s decision not to use him in a starting role.

The vice-captain made his first Premier League start since October in Liverpool’s goalless draw at home to Stoke on Saturday.

While the 33-year-old has rarely featured on the bench for the Anfield club since breaking into the first team over 10 years ago, his side currently boast one of the strongest defensive records in the Premier League.

And the former England man says he is happy to bide his time.

“Of course you want to play and the manager wouldn’t expect anything else but the lads are playing well,” Carragher said.

“When I have been playing over the years and doing well, someone else has had to sit on the bench for me. The roles have reversed now and you have to show respect to the manager, the club and the players playing in my position. I appreciate that.”

“The club have done a lot for me over the years. I am not going to say anything or cause any trouble just because I am not playing. You have got to be professional and wait for your chance. When it comes, you have got to do as well as you can.”

While Carragher was full of praise for the central defensive pairing of Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger, he says starting against Stoke on Saturday was a good feeling, and proved he still has the passion for the game he did as a youngster.

“I am no different to anyone else. I have been out the side for a while and understandably so. The lads in my position and the whole team have been doing great,” he said.

“It was just nice to put the red shirt on and play at Anfield again on Saturday. It is something that I have wanted to do since I was 18 and nothing has changed now I’m nearly 34. But the lads have been doing great and I understand the situation.”