Carragher to discuss Liverpool future

Carragher wants to remain at Liverpool (GETTY IMAGES)

Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will discuss his Anfield future at the start of next season but the Reds' vice-captain has stressed he does not want to play for another team.

Reports in March suggested the 32-year-old would walk out on the club he joined as a youngster if he did not get a new contract offer with terms that suited him.

However, Carragher said he wanted to finish his career with Liverpool and had already broached the subject with manager Rafael Benitez, whose own future remains in doubt after a disappointing season and speculation about a move to Juventus.

"I've spoken to the manager about it and we both agreed that it would be better if we talked about it at the start of next season," said the centre-back.

"There was an interview with a national newspaper and the headline was a bit misleading, saying that I would be prepared to leave Liverpool.

"Really, I said that if Liverpool didn't want me, I'd be forced to sign for someone else because I'd have no other option.

"I don't want to retire yet. I understand at my age, you can only make decisions season by season.

"But I want to finish my career at Liverpool. I don't want to play for anyone else."

Carragher is keen to take up a coaching role when his playing days are over but does not feel his temperament is suited to youth development work.

"I've passed the UEFA B coaching badge and I'm considering the A badge at Lilleshall this summer," he told LFC Weekly.

"I still haven't made my mind up what I'm going to do when I'm finished, but I'm doing this so I'm prepared and to see if I enjoy it.

"If I did go into coaching, it would have to be at a senior level.

"I'm passionate about football and all I've ever wanted to do is win.

"I'm not really the kind of person to have the patience to improve the kids at the Academy."

A sign that Carragher's playing days are numbered came today when the veteran defender announced his testimonial match.

His Liverpool side will play an Everton XI - the club he supported as a boy - at Anfield on September 4.

Although some players will be away on international duty the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman, Dietmar Hamann, Jamie Redknapp and Michael Owen have all confirmed they will take part with Carragher hopeful Sami Hyypia and Jerzy Dudek will also be involved.

All proceeds from the game will benefit local charities through Carragher's 23 Foundation.

"It has been in the pipeline for four or five months and I've had to keep things quiet but I'm delighted now that I can start to talk about it properly," said Carragher.

"Everton were always my first idea. If we had gone for a foreign team, they would have incurred appearance fees and travel costs which would have needed paying for but that is not what this game is going to be about; the money we raise is for the city of Liverpool and Merseyside in general.

"Everyone knows I was an Evertonian when I was a kid and I just thought it would be appropriate for the two teams in my life to have a game of football."