Born-again Carragher could be crucial to England at the World Cup

By Richard Buxton in Liverpool Fans Blog

Published 12:59 13/05/10

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Jamie Carragher's recall to the international fold will have had regulars at many a Merseyside establishment spitting out mouthfuls of beer in disbelief.

After revealing so unashamedly in his autobiography that England has never been top of his list of priorities, Carragher has had a change of heart with a defensive injury crisis giving him the ideal opportunity Steve McClaren and Sven Goran Eriksson refused to offer.

‘Carra’ was used sparingly in the 2006 World Cup at a stage of his career when he was, arguably, at his peak. This season saw him written off by many critics, myself included, after a highly worrying spell in Liverpool’s back four but, true to form, Carragher returned in style.

Bootle’s finest was highly vociferous in walking out on England in 2007, even challenging a national phone-in host live on air to pay a visit at Anfield and call him a ‘bottler’ to his face. Since then, ‘Carra’ signed up to front the station’s World Cup coverage with said host.

So why the U-turn, the ‘we’re not English - we are Scouse’ crowd will ask? Why renege on everything he said less than three years ago?

Much like how he weighed his options rather than hastily commit to a new Liverpool deal, the veteran defender appears to be looking at the bigger picture. At 32, he may not have another chance like this to lift the most glittering prize in world football.

Of course this will not go down too well with the anti-patriots on the Kop who view the national side with the same level of disdain as rival fans from Manchester, London and beyond feel towards them, which is only natural for a club from a traditionally militant city.

South Africa also represents England’s best chance of success since Italia 90 after false dawns in France, Japan & South Korea and Germany. Fabio Capello has instilled real belief in the Three Lions that they can beat anyone, illustrated by the side qualifying at a canter.

Some London-centric journalists have questioned why Carragher should be in contention for a place at the World Cup ahead of Ledley King and it’s not hard to understand their train of thought.

Why on earth would you risk a man still in relatively peak fitness who is rising up the list for the most appearances for his club, when you can take an injury-ravaged Spurs centre-back instead?

It’s preposterous to have a man who trains five days a week and retains his place at the heart of Liverpool's defence, missing only one game last season, in the 23-man squad ahead of a player who cannot even train with his team-mates such is the extremity of his injuries.

That is why Carragher has an advantage on King.

Although he has endured a long and disappointing campaign with Liverpool, he has the potential to replicate a rich vein of form in South Africa and be a key part of the England machine.

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