Quotes from Jamie Carragher

My family regarded the end of my career as a sign they could really enjoy life a bit rather than cancelling plans on the back of a poor result - it happened many times!

For the life of me, I'll never understand why the teams that have the best defences get criticised. Shouldn't clean sheets be a badge of honour for defenders and goalkeepers?

When Robben joined Chelsea in 2004 nobody realised how good he was. He was seen as an excellent player rather than a world-class one, and he suffered a lot with injuries. In the years since, he has elevated his game.

When the tone needs to be set and the crowd need to be revved up, nothing is better than a big, shuddering tackle.

I like Tony Blair.

There is so much I admire about Buffon. His longevity is remarkable, his loyalty to Juventus impeccable.

You talk about results being more important than performances but, ideally, you want to put the two together.

The pressure from within used to have an impact on my behaviour. If games had gone badly, I would take things home with me. I'd be snappy at my kids and felt constantly wound up.

When I think of Xabi, my mind goes back to the first training session he had at Melwood in August 2004. And the same word always leaps out: wow! Rafa Benitez had talked him up before he arrived and immediately you understood.

I've been to Cardiff a few times but I'd love to get to Wembley. My son is six or seven years old and I'd love to take him to Wembley to watch Liverpool.

There's one thing I've never seen in a paper. Jamie Carragher linked with this or that club.

The buzz we had in 2000-01 was unique. We played 34 matches between January 1 and May 19, but lost only four.

No-one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville.

We want to play a full year, July to July, because that will mean we've been successful.

It's all about winning trophies really.

If you want trophies, they don't get given to you, you have to earn them, you have to play well in big games.

I've never blown my own trumpet over my ability but it took an awful lot to stop me getting on the pitch.

Centre-back takes more out of you mentally than physically.

Without Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, we would discuss Robben more often and with more appreciation.

We are constantly told to enjoy Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo before they retire but what about Arjen Robben?

I don't mind a bit of cricket, but it has to be something massive like the Ashes.

In the modern era, with the rewards the top players have during their career and the risks involved moving into management, more will look at it and say they don't need it.

Robben is truly world class, proving himself at the highest level in England, Spain, Germany and on the international stage.

Liverpool has always had speculation about managers, players, players coming, players going and it's the same as managers. That's part of being part of a big club, you always have that type of thing.