Liverpool FC fans back Jamie Carragher: You've got it right over England
LIVERPOOL fans have given Jamie Carragher their backing after the Reds star admitted he has always put club before country.
Carragher came in for a storm of criticism yesterday after extracts of his forthcoming autobiography were published in a national newspaper in which he revealed an England defeat "never hurt me in the same way as losing for my club".
He even went as far as saying he "would rather miss for England than LFC", when discussing his England penalty miss against Portugal in the 2006 World Cup.
Former Liverpool player Stan Collymore, who won a total of three England caps before retiring at the age of 30 having never fulfilled his potential, was among those who criticised Carragher for his stance.
But the Bootle-born defender won the backing of Reds fans with Les Lawson of the Liverpool Supporters Club saying: "I agree with Carra. My only thought when international breaks come around is that I hope the players come back uninjured.
"I couldn't care less about England, I'm a Liverpool supporter. We are Scouse, not English!"
Lawson even went as far as admitting Liverpool fans prefer to show allegiance to Spain because of the large contingent of Spaniards at Anfield.
He said: "I have watched Liverpool reserves when England are playing. In fact, if England were playing Spain, you would probably find Liverpool fans supporting Spain."
Carragher's attitude has been met with disappointment but not surprise by England supporters.
Mark Perryman, of the England Fans' Group, thinks that European Cup-winners like Carragher, who play regular Champions League football, don't reach the pinnacle of their careers on the international stage.
He said: "You do not want to hear things like that, but I do understand where someone like Carragher is coming from.
"His view is no different to many fans, particularly those who support the big clubs.
"If you asked most fans whether they would want their club to win the title or England to win the World Cup, they would back their own clubs.
"It is an attitude that has arisen as the Champions League has got bigger and bigger. I know that as an England fan these days, I am in a minority.
"The Champions League provides international quality football from September to March to players like Carragher. Success in it is crucial to the big clubs, so I understand his view."
tonybarrett@liverpoolecho.co.uk
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First of all I'm a Nigerian and would put the Super Eagles of Nigeria before any other team, but I've loved and been a Liverpool fan since I was a kid and my heart would always be with Liverpool. Because of the love I have for Liverpool, I have this sentimental attachment to England, but they've always been under-achievers even when there is much expectation. Infact, the way I see things now, they may not qualify for the World Cup. Personally, I don't think Capello is the best man for the England job; atimes big names don't do the job. The FA needs to look inwards, but when I say inwards I don't mean coaches like Mclaren, I knew he would fail when he kept ignoring players like carragher (who was always on the bench) and pennant, but young ambitious coaches that want to make name for themselves. Carragher's view is personal to him and he has every right to it and i don't blame him, not after the way he was treated by McClaren.
i want to become a lfc fans,i want to sign up
I love liverpool