Jamie Carragher has chosen an XI of the toughest opponents he faced during his career with Liverpool, naming a number of players from Premier League rivals and other legends from across Europe in the team and a former Arsenal forward as his toughest ever opponent.
During his 17 years at Anfield, Carragher came up against some incredible sides in the Premier League, including the Manchester United treble-winning team of 1999 and Arsenal’s ‘invincibles’ from the 2003-04 season.
However, Carragher opted to go for a European great in goal, choosing Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, whom he described as “[a] great goalkeeper, best of his generation.”
Both full-backs are also renowned for their time in Italy, with Carragher choosing Brazil great Cafu and AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini. “The easiest ones are possibly the full-backs,” Carragher explained.
“They weren't just the best full-backs of their generation, I actually believe they are the best two full-backs of all time. I don't think there are many arguments with that.”
However, Carragher returned to the Premier League to pick his two centre-halves, Marcel Desailly and John Terry, both of whom played for Chelsea.
“Desailly, in certain games against Liverpool it was men against boys, really, when he wanted to turn it on,” Carragher said. "And John Terry for me has been the best Premier League centre-back, certainly in my time watching. He's been as good as anyone.”
Carragher then picked former Manchester United captain Roy Keane at the base of his midfield, adding: “Keane would be a little bit more central in the holding position. I was thinking other players you could play against, maybe a [Andrea] Pirlo who's a completely different player.
“But I think what Roy Keane would give you in that position sitting in front of a back four, organising, the energy, challenges.”
Playing Keane in the holding role would allow Carragher’s other midfield picks - legendary Barcelona duo Xavi and Andres Iniesta - freer roles to dictate play.
“The midfield in terms of Xavi and Iniesta picks itself, what they did for Barcelona, absolute superstars the two of them,” Carragher noted.
Up front, Carragher opted for a formidable trident of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Thierry Henry, also identifying former Arsenal and Barcelona man Henry as the toughest opponent of his career.
Justifying these selections, he said: ”I look at that front three and I think certainly anyone from my generation it would be Messi and Ronaldo and one other.
“That one other for me would be Thierry Henry who I think is the greatest Premier League player of all time, and certainly my toughest opponent."
Carragher's toughest XI: Buffon, Cafu, Desailly, Terry, Maldini, Keane, Xavi, Iniesta, Messi, Henry, Ronaldo
