Carra: My Autobiography by Jamie Carragher, Kenny Dalglish
Authors: Jamie Carragher, Kenny Dalglish
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play for Liverpool throughout the modern era, and quite possibly in previous ones too.
Throughout my career, my reputation has been one of a nononsense physical type of player. At sixteen I was a striker praised for my technical abilities. My passing, control and understanding of the game were my best qualities. Heighway always believed I'd play for the first team, but I was a slow developer. I was smaller and less muscular than many of my teammates, and I didn't have the electrifying pace of Mo or the strength of Stevie, but I'd always been thought of as a potential first-teamer. I lived up to my expectations rather than defied them. As my career developed, it became obvious to me that if I had been from Bologna rather than Bootle, playing for Italy rather than England, I'd be rated higher.
Naturally, there was no instant success, and there were times when I doubted how I'd cope with the step up. My first games against older professionals were especially challenging. My debut for Liverpool's 'B' team ended in a 4–1 defeat to Manchester United. 'Welcome to the real world, lad!' the football industry seemed to scream at me. I was now playing big boys' games with big boys' rules. I was sixteen and taking on League players in their twenties. It was like being back at primary school and being thrown in against the seniors. My body needed to develop before I could cope.
When I was later promoted to Liverpool's 'A' team, the side below the reserves, I noticed another leap in class. My debut ended at halftime. I was subbed against Everton because the pace of the game was beyond me, but I never felt down about this, knowing once I filled out my natural capabilities would stand me in good stead. One of my enduring qualities has been my capacity to adapt. None of these early experiences made me doubt my ability, only how I'd adjust to the physical demands.
By the 1994–95 season, I'd forced my way into the reserves. My first appearance for them was against Blackburn Rovers at Southport's Haig Avenue, and although again the transition took time, positive signs were there. I was man of the match that day.
Had I been judged on those 'A' team displays, I might have been written off instantly or sent out on loan. I needed more than one chance at reserve level to fine-tune. It took me a full season before I felt comfortable. The difference then was that manager Roy Evans and Ronnie Moran were in constant contact with Heighway, monitoring my progress. There seemed less pressure or inclination to make instant verdicts, and you also felt everyone from the manager down was willing you to get there and making assessments with an open mind. Players were given time to bed in and develop physically before decisions were taken on their future.
In my case, by the time I was seventeen I'd turned the corner, assisted by a pivotal change of position. My days as a striker were over.
As a schoolboy, the further up the pitch I played, the more impact I had. As I edged closer to the first team, I began to retreat further towards my own goal, until eventually I was established as a defender. The 'A' team and reserve games made me realize I wasn't a forward. I didn't have the speed to stay upfront. Initially I was moved into a central midfield role, but during the FA Youth Cup run of 1996 a series of events gave me a taste of a different future.
Through the course of that competition I played in the centre of the park, keeping a younger and not quite up-to-the-mark Steven Gerrard out of the side, before finally being used at centrehalf. By the time we met Manchester United in the quarterfinal, the forward role I'd once made my own was earmarked for another.
'We've a player returning from Lilleshall to play in the game,' Heighway explained. 'His name is Michael Owen.'
I didn't know much about Mo other than his impressive schoolboy reputation. Ninety minutes later I came off the pitch believing I'd seen one of the best strikers in England, and he was
Throughout my career, my reputation has been one of a nononsense physical type of player. At sixteen I was a striker praised for my technical abilities. My passing, control and understanding of the game were my best qualities. Heighway always believed I'd play for the first team, but I was a slow developer. I was smaller and less muscular than many of my teammates, and I didn't have the electrifying pace of Mo or the strength of Stevie, but I'd always been thought of as a potential first-teamer. I lived up to my expectations rather than defied them. As my career developed, it became obvious to me that if I had been from Bologna rather than Bootle, playing for Italy rather than England, I'd be rated higher.
Naturally, there was no instant success, and there were times when I doubted how I'd cope with the step up. My first games against older professionals were especially challenging. My debut for Liverpool's 'B' team ended in a 4–1 defeat to Manchester United. 'Welcome to the real world, lad!' the football industry seemed to scream at me. I was now playing big boys' games with big boys' rules. I was sixteen and taking on League players in their twenties. It was like being back at primary school and being thrown in against the seniors. My body needed to develop before I could cope.
When I was later promoted to Liverpool's 'A' team, the side below the reserves, I noticed another leap in class. My debut ended at halftime. I was subbed against Everton because the pace of the game was beyond me, but I never felt down about this, knowing once I filled out my natural capabilities would stand me in good stead. One of my enduring qualities has been my capacity to adapt. None of these early experiences made me doubt my ability, only how I'd adjust to the physical demands.
By the 1994–95 season, I'd forced my way into the reserves. My first appearance for them was against Blackburn Rovers at Southport's Haig Avenue, and although again the transition took time, positive signs were there. I was man of the match that day.
Had I been judged on those 'A' team displays, I might have been written off instantly or sent out on loan. I needed more than one chance at reserve level to fine-tune. It took me a full season before I felt comfortable. The difference then was that manager Roy Evans and Ronnie Moran were in constant contact with Heighway, monitoring my progress. There seemed less pressure or inclination to make instant verdicts, and you also felt everyone from the manager down was willing you to get there and making assessments with an open mind. Players were given time to bed in and develop physically before decisions were taken on their future.
In my case, by the time I was seventeen I'd turned the corner, assisted by a pivotal change of position. My days as a striker were over.
As a schoolboy, the further up the pitch I played, the more impact I had. As I edged closer to the first team, I began to retreat further towards my own goal, until eventually I was established as a defender. The 'A' team and reserve games made me realize I wasn't a forward. I didn't have the speed to stay upfront. Initially I was moved into a central midfield role, but during the FA Youth Cup run of 1996 a series of events gave me a taste of a different future.
Through the course of that competition I played in the centre of the park, keeping a younger and not quite up-to-the-mark Steven Gerrard out of the side, before finally being used at centrehalf. By the time we met Manchester United in the quarterfinal, the forward role I'd once made my own was earmarked for another.
'We've a player returning from Lilleshall to play in the game,' Heighway explained. 'His name is Michael Owen.'
I didn't know much about Mo other than his impressive schoolboy reputation. Ninety minutes later I came off the pitch believing I'd seen one of the best strikers in England, and he was
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