Xabi Alonso: Jamie Carragher is ‘pure Liverpool’

Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on Jamie Carragher as the Liverpool centre-half prepares for his last competitive game for the Reds before retiring.

Alonso played alongside Carragher for five seasons at Anfield before the Spaniard sealed a transfer to Real Madrid in 2009.

The former England international has made over 730 appearances for Liverpool in an illustrious career spanning 17 seasons and including a Champions League and two FA Cup triumphs.

And the 31-year-old Spain midfielder was full of praise for the defender, who is set to hang up his playing boots after Sunday’s Premier League clash against Queens Park Rangers at Anfield.

“What can be said about Carra?” Alonso told LFC TV.

“As soon as I got to Liverpool, just as we met, I knew that he was someone special because of the way he felt the club – he was pure Liverpool, not just the club, the city.

“I always say he is probably the best Scouser in the world, because he’s a great example of what the club is and what the city is. You see the passion that he’s got for the club and the game as well.

“He’s a great friend of mine and during my five years we were really close and we are still very close.”