Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard admits he wanted Jamie Carragher to play on next season.

Carragher announced his end of season retirement plans last week.

"I've known a little bit longer than other people. I've tried just as hard as everyone else to try to keep him going for a bit longer," the skipper told Liverpoolfc.com.

"But we have to respect his decision. He's had a fantastic career and he feels it's the right time to go out, at the end of the season.

"Hopefully there are still some big performances left in him before he goes.

"I could go on for a long time about him. People mention him alongside the likes of Hansen and Lawrenson, the best defenders that this club has ever had.

"For me, if he's not alongside them he's a little bit above them. That's the biggest compliment I can pay him.

"He's a wonderful player - at his peak, for two or three seasons he was one of the best defenders in the world."