StevenGerrard already knew that Jamie Carragher was planning to announce hisretirement from football at the end of the season – and has revealed thelengths he went to in an effort to change his friend's mind.
The 35-year-old's decision was confirmed on Thursday, signalling theend of a glittering career for the Bootle native at Anfield which hasincluded 723 appearances in a Liverpool jersey.
Reds captain Gerrard admitted that he knew this day was coming and hetried everything in his power to encourage the Liverpool vice-captainto stay a season longer.
"I've known a little bit longer than other people. I've tried just ashard as everyone else to try to keep him going for a bit longer," theskipper told Liverpoolfc.com.
"But we have to respect his decision. He's had a fantastic career andhe feels it's the right time to go out, at the end of the season.
"Hopefully there are still some big performances left in him before he goes.
"I could go on for a long time about him. People mention himalongside the likes of Hansen and Lawrenson, the best defenders thatthis club has ever had.
"For me, if he's not alongside them he's a little bit above them. That's the biggest compliment I can pay him.
"He's a wonderful player - at his peak, for two or three seasons he was one of the best defenders in the world."Carragher approached his captain about the subject before announcinghis retirement - and although the centre-back ultimately stood by hisown decision, Gerrard is happy to respect it.
The midfielder added: "He bounced a few things off me, but he's made the decision himself along with his family.
"He's basically taken no notice of what I said because I was trying for him to push on for another year.
"At times this season it has been difficult for him, not being aregular starter - because he has been a starter since he made his debut.I can respect and understand his decision; we're all going to come tothat moment in our careers.
"It's sad for me - I'm going to miss him more than anyone. It's goingto be different for me, not having him alongside me as a vice-captain.It's tough.
"Everyone knows what we're going to miss on the playing side. Since Imade my debut Jamie has been alongside me in the dressing room and beena close mate of mine.
"He has been through the journey with me as well. I've bounced a lotof things off him, highs and lows, and we've come through it alltogether.
"It's going to be different and no-one is going to miss Jamie more than me."Carragher's statement arrived at a time when the No.23 hasre-established himself in the Liverpool starting line-up, turning inarchetypal performances at Arsenal and Manchester City.
Such was the level of his play in those Barclays Premier Leaguefixtures, Gerrard considers them as a perfect microcosm of thedefender's career.
"You've seen in his last couple of performances against Arsenal andCity, he has brought leadership into the back four," Gerrard concluded.
"He organises, he's a big voice and he's played very well. His lasttwo performances have typified his career. He has come back in, hasn'tplayed much of late and has been one of our best players."
