Jamie Carragher to retire at end of season

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. The 35-year-old England international has made more than 700 senior appearances for Liverpool, and is second only to Ian Callaghan in the club's all-time appearance rankings. Carragher has also won 38 caps for England. "I'm making this announcement because I don't want the manager to be answering questions when I've already decided what I am going to do," he said. Carragher, whose contract was going to expire at the end of the season, joined Liverpool's youth system at the age of nine and made his first-team debut against Middlesbrough in January 1997. He was part of the side that won the Uefa Cup in 2001 and Champions League in 2005, and also grabbed two FA Cup winners' medals and three League Cup titles. "It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have," said Carragher. "I won't be making any further comment on this decision until the end of the season - all our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the league this season and trying to win the last remaining trophy, the Europa League, we are competing in." Former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish was quick to pay tribute to Carragher's contribution to Liverpool. "Sad day for Carra announcing his retirement. He'll be missed but he can be very proud of everything he's done for Liverpool," Dalglish said on Twitter. Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre hinted the player may be given a future role with the club after hanging up his boots. "Everyone within the game knows that Jamie has been a colossal figure for Liverpool," said Ayre. "You don't have a career spanning three decades at the very top of this game unless you are an exceptional player and he epitomises the values this club was built on and continues to stand for. In line with Jamie's wishes we will wait until the season concludes before giving him the true recognition he deserves. We will also wait until that time to comment further regarding what involvement he may have with the club going forward." Manager Brendan Rodgers says the centre-back will continue to feature in his plans between now and the end of the season. "Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club," said the former Swansea manager, who took charge at Anfield last summer. He will have a significant role to play for us between now and May." The bookmakers don't give Liverpool too many chances to win the Europa League this season. Bet365 have them priced at 16/1 for an outright win while favourites Atletico Madrid are priced at 6/1 and Chelsea at 13/2.