Rafa's glowing tribute to Carra

RAFA BENITEZ today paid a glowing tribute to Jamie Carragher as the Liverpool vice-captain homes in on another significant landmark.

Carragher will become only the ninth player in the club's history to make 600 appearances when he takes his place at the heart of Liverpool's defence against Portsmouth tomorrow.

He has been a constant, consistent figure during Benitez's five-year reign and the Reds boss is quick to acknowledge the role Carragher has played in that time.

That's why Benitez does not hesitate to describe the 31-year-old as "one of the best in the business" and has hailed both Carragher's enthusiasm and determination to learn.

"It's like I said with Stevie recently - to be at one club for such a long time and to play 600 games is absolutely amazing and shows the passion and commitment," said Benitez.

"Before I came here, I watched a lot of games and was analysing the players and Carra always stood out as you could see he was a clever player.

"He wanted to be a central defender and he was keen to learn; you can see that he has improved and improved every single year. He is a top professional.

"That is the difference between him and other players. Some have different qualities but he analyses, he reads the games well and he can adapt to different situations."

Though Carragher was capped 34 times by England and has won every major honour bar the Premier League, there have been times when, perhaps, he has not got sufficient credit.

It is a situation which Benitez is quick to sympathise with and he also points out that Carragher's stock has risen since turning from a jack-of-all-trades to a master of one.

Since he started operating as a central defender, he has been able to exert an even greater influence on the team and Benitez believes Carragher still has scope to improve.

"It can be difficult for defenders to get recognition," Benitez observed. "For strikers and midfielders, it is easy because everyone can see their goals.

"With defenders, you tend only to see own goals and mistakes getting highlighted, so it is more difficult to keep up their profile.

"But during the time I have been here, you can only say that Carra has done really well; he is one of the best defenders in England - and I'm sure he will continue to do well."

Ironically Carragher may be asked to continue at right-back tomorrow when Liverpool attempt to build on Wednesday's confidence-boosting 2-1 win over Wigan at Portsmouth.

Glen Johnson will be assessed by Liverpool's medical team before the squad makes the long trip to the south coast but he is facing a race against time to face his old club.

The England international has struggled with injury in the past couple of months but Benitez will given him every opportunity to prove his fitness.

JAMIE CARRAGHER FACTFILE

Date of birth: January 28 1978

First appearance: Middlesbrough (a) January 8, 1997; lost 2-1

First goal: Aston Villa (h) January 18, 1997; won 3-0

Liverpool career: 599 appearances, 4 goals

Honours : FA Cup 2001, 2006; League Cup 2001, 2003; Community Shield 2001, 2006; UEFA Cup 2001; Champions League 2005; Super Cup 2001, 2005; FA Youth Cup 1996

England Honours: 34 caps (27 Under-21s caps)