Why West Ham holds special memories for Carra

When the time comes for Jamie Carragher to look back on his glittering career, the names of Everton, Manchester United, AC Milan and Alaves will be recalled with great fondness.

Memories of great tussles and trophy-winning exploits will easily be reflected upon with good reason; local derbies, games against Liverpool's biggest rivals and finals that led to European honours mean those four teams will hold a special place in his affections.

But, to that list, add West Ham United.

At first, you may wonder why an erratic club from London's East End would be special to Carragher but cast a glance through the years he has been a Liverpool player and you will see the Hammers have been the opposition for some landmark moments.

First there was success in the 1996 FA Youth Cup.

In January 1997, West Ham came to Anfield when a fresh-faced Carragher made his Premier League début as a second-half substitute and in May 2006, Claret and Blue was the colour of the opposite corner as Liverpool won the FA Cup.

Now, as Carragher prepares to make his 650th appearance for Liverpool, West Ham again arrive on Merseyside; though you might not instantly appreciate where that puts him on the all-time list, this latest start means Carragher will draw level with Phil Neal, the club's most decorated player.

Only Ian Rush (660), Emlyn Hughes and Ray Clemence (both 666) and Ian Callaghan (857) are in front of Carragher, who will be captain in Steven Gerrard's absence, and, fitness permitting, he will move into clear second place sometime early in the New Year.

For those who have charted his journey from the Academy to the top of his profession, there is nothing to say about Carragher that hasn't already been said but for Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson, the situation is a little different.

While he was well aware of Carragher's talents before he arrived at Anfield, working with the former England international on a day-to-day basis has opened his eyes as to what the 32-year-old actually contributes on and off the field.

So even though Hodgson continues to be "angry, frustrated and disappointed" about the loss of the hamstrung Gerrard, Liverpool's manager knows that the man who is synonymous with the number 23 jersey will provide just as much inspiration as his sidelined captain - he'll just do it differently.

"It is a rarity to get to 650 games," said Hodgson.

"I don't think he gets anything like the credit he deserves.

"As a defender, you do not capture the headlines in the same way midfielders or attackers do but I think Jamie has been a superb servant to the club.

"For me, in the five months I have been here, I have yet to see him play a bad game.

"Furthermore, I have had to see him move around in several different positions - he has even had to move to left-back and right-back because we have had injury problems.

"But every time he has played, I would have given him a high mark for his performances. It's great that he has made it to 650 games.

"I know he would be very happy to catch Cally's record but there is a long way to go that landmark.

"One of his qualities is that he is a great talker and an organiser.

"But his biggest quality is his ability. He has a great understanding of the game and he has such a desire to win.

"He has this palpable desire to win - it is obvious to everyone how much he wants the club to succeed.

"Those type of players can help the team immensely because they drag others around them forward.

"We have lost Steven, who is a quieter person but very inspirational with his play, but we have still got Jamie, who will be able to fire people up out there.

"Having said that, I think the people who will fire us up the most are the 45,000 fans.

"When they get behind the team, as I have seen them recently, you really do feel it. But to get that twelfth man you have got to produce the goods on the pitch."

Gerrard's injury means Hodgson is going to have to shuffle his pack, with Raul Meireles playing alongside Christian Poulsen in centre midfield, Dirk Kuyt and Maxi Rodriguez on the flanks, with David Ngog and Fernando Torres firing the bullets from the front.

There is also likely to be a recall for Glen Johnson, who started his career at Upton Park and has recovered from a groin problem that has kept him on the sidelines since Napoli were brushed aside thanks to a Gerrard hat-trick in the Europa League on November 4

"We will have to reconsider tactically what we are doing," said Hodgson, whose team need a win to restore the momentum after a chastening experience at Stoke City seven days ago.

"We have done quite a lot of work, so it won't make a vast difference to our principles.

"Whatever we play, I'm still hoping we will cause the same kind of problems to West Ham with the movement of our midfielders and those who are playing up front.

"My hope is that Steven will be back quicker than people expect and he is desperate to do that.

"It will be very important for those who play in his place to produce some excellent performances.

"Steven has been very good for us this year and was a big factor in the three straight wins.

"We will miss his inspirational leadership and enthusiasm.

"Would I ever consider using Glen Johnson on the right wing?

"He has got the quality to play in lots of positions but I've never entertained the idea of doing it.

"He is a specialist right-back and a very good one at that.

"If you have got one of those, you don't need to change his position."

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.