Brendan Rodgers demands final contribution from retiring Jamie Carragher

Defender has announced he will quit at the end of the season

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is looking for a significant contribution from Jamie Carragher in the remainder of the season after the defender announced plans to retire in May.

The 35-year-old, who ironically has just won back his place in the first-choice line-up, has decided to draw a line under his 16-year career at his only professional club.

Rodgers tapped into Carragher's vast experience at Anfield, having taken over from Reds icon Kenny Dalglish last summer, and is relying on that on the pitch for the remainder of the campaign.

"Jamie has been absolutely outstanding for me since I joined the club," he told liverpoolfc.com.

"He has been a model professional on and off the pitch and has shown an unswerving commitment to our work.

"We still have a lot to play for as we look to finish as high up the Barclays Premier League as possible and continue our progression in the Europa League, a competition we'd like to win.

"He will have a significant role to play for us between now and May and I know his commitment and dedication on the pitch will remain as it has done his entire career at Liverpool.

"When the time is right we, as a team and a club, will give the man the tribute and recognition he deserves. I know the supporters will want to say thank you to someone who has served them with such distinction for so long."

Carragher, who in 723 appearances has won every major honour with Liverpool - the highlight being the Champions League in 2005 - except the league title, insists he will not allow himself to start looking back just yet.

"It has been a privilege and an honour to represent this great club for as long as I have and I am immensely proud to have done so and thankful for all the support I have had," said the centre-back.

"There are many memories I want to share and people to thank, but now is not the time for that.

"I'm making this announcement now because I don't want the manager or the club to be answering questions on my future when I've already decided what I am going to do.

"I will be fully committed between now and the end of the season to doing the very best for Liverpool Football Club, as I've done my entire career since joining aged just nine years old.

"All our focus and concentration should be on achieving the best possible finish in the league this season and trying to win the last remaining trophy (Europa League) we are competing in."

PA