Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Jamie Carragher's decision to retire must be respected.

The veteran defender will hang up his boots this summer.

Rodgers told liverpoolfc.com: "I have to respect that the reason why he made the announcement was purely to get it out there so he can focus on his football.

"He's a remarkable professional, how he's looked after himself all his life. You play for a club like Liverpool and the pressures are near enough incomparable to most other clubs.

"To be here for this length of time and commit yourself to the cause - being a local boy as well - be as successful as he has been and still at 35 be an outstanding performer, shows the impact he has made as a footballer.

"He's very focused on the last games and I hope he can continue with the form he has shown since he was brought into the team recently.

"It's a remarkable effort to play that number of games at this level - huge applause to him and great credit to his professionalism."