Daily Mail: Carragher's words of Wisdom

One is a Liverpool legend, who has made 709 appearances and won 11 major trophies. The other has started to take his first tentative steps in the senior ranks, having graduated from the academy with honours.

Jamie Carragher and Andre Wisdom may be at different stages of their careers but they have found common ground in the Capital One Cup and this evening they are set to feature alongside each other in Liverpool's fourth-round tie against Swansea.

Ahead of the tie, which will see Brendan Rodgers lock horns with Swansea for the first time since he left in May, Carragher and  Wisdom sat down with Sportsmail to discuss how important the competition is for them  and their club.

King: Jamie, you've lifted the League Cup three times and you made your debut in this competition in January 1997 at Middlesbrough. How much has it changed in terms of how clubs prioritise it?

Carragher: A lot of players who come through tend to make their debut in this competition. Sometimes it gets a bit of criticism but as far as I am concerned it is not too far away (in terms of prestige) from the FA Cup. It is a great competition to be involved in and young players know they are going to get a chance. How many times do you get a chance to play at Wembley for your club? A lot of the finals I played in were at the Millennium Stadium, which was great, but last season against Cardiff was something I will never forget.

King: For you, Andre, you will have your own special memories after making your second Liverpool start at West Bromwich Albion last month.

Wisdom: It was a great team performance. We got over the blow of conceding an early goal but we stuck to our game plan and we had a few experienced players to help us. Carra was in there, so was Stewart Downing but I think we did ourselves proud.

King: How has Jamie helped you settle into the team?

Carragher: Remember what I told you to say!

Wisdom: It is always good to play alongside experienced players. Carra never stops talking. You need that in the game. It is different when you are playing in big games in front of big crowds. If you get 50 people for reserve games, you are lucky. It is very nerve- racking when you are playing for Liverpool.

King: How big an influence has Jamie been on you?

Wisdom: I wouldn't say I have modelled myself on him...

Carragher: You should have done!

Wisdom:  ...but he is someone I've looked up to ever since I was a young boy watching Match of the Day.

King: Is Jamie a good teacher?

Carragher: Remember - I'm listening!

Wisdom: He may come across in the wrong way on the pitch when the adrenaline is flowing but he is definitely a good teacher. I haven't had a major rollicking off him yet, anyway.

Carragher: You might after this!

King: Do you feel an extra responsibility helping the young players (Wisdom is 19) coming through, Jamie, as you are the elder statesman in Liverpool's squad now at 34?

Carragher: I've always tried to help whoever I've played alongside, no matter what their age. We've got a few players in the side now and it has taken me back to when I came through. You know what they are experiencing - the nerves, the feelings. When you are Andre's age, you look after yourself. If you don't do well when you get a chance as a young lad, you might not get another. But Andre has been excellent. He is a Liverpool player. He can pass the ball.

King: You played in Jamie's testimonial, Andre, against Everton in September 2012 when you were still at the academy.

Wisdom: It was a big surprise when he asked me. We went for a meal with the squad before the game and I was looking around and seeing all these faces - Carra, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Luis Garcia. It made me think that I wanted to be part of this for ever.

King: You seem to take everything in your stride, Andre.

Wisdom: You have got to do that. You can't get too ahead of yourself. You have got to have confidence but it is just important to take  everything as it comes, treat each game as you did your last.

Carragher: It's good for them to be nervous. It shows they care. If I play against Swansea, I'll be a little bit nervous as I want to do well. You should have belief in yourself but you need that edge. It keeps you on your toes. Obviously if the nerves go too far, it shows they are not up to it. But Andre has shown that he can. All the kids who have come in during the last 18 months have been the same. Jack Robinson, Jon Flanagan, Raheem Sterling, Suso and Andre - they have all done really well. I'm sure there will be others too. Conor Coady is pushing.

King: Looking at the Swansea game, it's importance to Liverpool's season should not be underestimated.

Carragher: I look at this and the Europa League as a chance to get games. This is something to focus on for me, as I know I'm not a Premier League regular any longer. But when I mentioned we were doing this interview to Andre, he said he didn't want to do it as he plays in the Premier League now!

Wisdom: No, no, no!

Carragher: We are the holders and don't want to give it away. Wembley was fantastic last season. This trophy is ours and we want to hold on to it. This is a quick-fire competition, and with the final being in February, you can achieve something very early. That's what we want to do.

Source: Daily Mail