Jamie Carragher’s new book The Greatest Games documents the best matches he has experienced as a player and as a spectator. He played in a few crackers, not least the 2005 ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ when Liverpool came back from the dead against AC Milan in the Champions League final.

As a pundit, Jamie employs the same exacting standards he applied to his long and auspicious career as an Anfield defender. He has to, because supporters are incredibly well informed and analytically astute these days. And Jamie wants to ask why a manager makes a decision rather than just lobbing criticism.

We chat about Jamie’s time playing for England under Sven-Göran Eriksson. Sven picked the safest options and didn’t impart anything new. His coaching was very basic. Yet British players are too loath to criticise. Former Liverpool coach Pepe Reina once told Jamie and Steven Gerrard that he was surprised that they and other senior pros were so humble and silent.

Enjoy

Graham

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