Carragher bowled over by Gerrard u-turn

The previous evening, Carragher, like the rest of Liverpool’s squad was resigned to losing the man who lifted the Champions League trophy aloft in Istanbul six weeks ago.

Little did he know Gerrard had thought the matter through again in his mind, and reached a totally different conclusion.

“Like everyone else, I was watching the reports on TV and thought he was leaving,” Carragher told www.liverpoolfc.tv

“Then, we couldn’t believe it when we were having breakfast at Melwood and news came through that he was staying. I almost spat my Corn Flakes out.

“It’s a great boost for everyone at the club because we thought he had gone. It is almost like signing a new player for nothing, although I am sure he will cost a few quid in wages.”

Twenty million pounds to be precise, if reports of a £100,000-a-week contract are correct after Gerrard, like Carragher, signed a new four-year deal today that will keep the pair at Liverpool until 2009.

Like Gerrard, Carragher is seen as the heartbeat of the new side Rafael Benitez is starting to build.

As local boys in an increasingly cosmopolitan squad, the duo carry most of the supporters’ hopes and while his own stock has risen significantly thanks to a series of outstanding central defensive performances in Liverpool’s magnificent European run last term, Carragher knows the club have far more chance of further success with Gerrard in the squad.

Which is why, when asked by Benitez on Wednesday morning whether Gerrard should continue as skipper, the 27-year-old had no hesitation in saying yes, even though he would almost certainly have been the man to replace his fellow England international.

“The manager did speak to me and a few other players and we all agreed he is our captain and should stay as captain,” said Carragher.

“He has just lifted the European Cup, so he must be doing something right.

“I have spoken to Steven over the last few days and I know what a difficult time it has been for him.

“It’s just good that it is all finally over and now we can look forward to playing football again.”

Amid all the turmoil of Gerrard’s will-he-stay, will-he-go saga, Carragher’s decision to commit his long-term future to Liverpool has largely gone unnoticed.

Not for Benitez though, who acknowledged what a hugely consistent figure the defender had been throughout last season’s rollercoaster ride to eventual glory.

“All through last season I spoke highly of Jamie because he has exactly the right attitude you need to win games,” said the Spaniard.

“He loves the club and it is always important to have players with that kind of passion.

“As a manager, you want as many players like Jamie as possible.

“We need to keep working hard with him to make him improve even more because he can be even better this season.

“When you think of a leader in the team, then you think of players like Jamie. He helps improve the team spirit.”

Both men are expected to be involved in tomorrow’s friendly with Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground and also next Wednesday night as Liverpool begin the defence of the Champions League against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions.

For Gerrard in particular, with the World Cup looming next summer, it is the start of a hectic and vitally important season.

And, with his mind back on the game again, Benitez is looking for his skipper to hit top form again, which he failed to do on too many occasions last term.

“It was important to get Steven’s situation resolved and now I am sure he will be extremely focused on the games,” he said.

“Last season he played well but at times, like the team, he was a bit inconsistent.

“I am sure he will play better this season. He told me he wants to help the team, his team-mates, the manager and the club to win trophies. He wants to win trophies with us.”