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Jamie Carragher was a rare breed of defender.

Committed, loyal and even a sometimes underrated talent that made him a formidable talisman in 16 eventful years at Liverpool.

But above all else Carragher was a leader. You knew where to look when you needed someone to organise the back four, a figure to help and guide the younger players and most importantly an icon who understood the responsibility that comes with donning the Red shirt.

Since his retirement last year Brendan Rodgers has faced the impossible task of filling the void left by the club legend.

737 appearances, two FA Cups, three League Cups, one Uefa Cup and, of course, one unforgettable Champions League triumph. Just how do you replace that?

It certainly isn’t easy but those same core qualities in Carragher have been on the manager’s tick list when scouring the market for defensive reinforcements this summer.

But has Rodgers found the man with the potential to step up to mark?

Dejan Lovren made the £20million switch from Southampton last week and in the process became Liverpool’s record buy for a defender – that’s some pressure.

Carragher, though, believes the Reds have bought a player who, before an ankle injury last term curtailed his campaign, was one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

More importantly, Carragher also believes Rodgers has finally found a leader for the defence and one who has the potential to one day take on the responsibility of the captain’s armband.

“Centre-backs normally make great captains,” the iconic defender said.

“I think if Lovren establishes himself in the team became a top player by showing the same form he has at Southampton for Liverpool, then in the next few years when Stevie does decide to call it day he will be in contention.

“You look at him and he has the potential to make a big powerful impact at the back and that’s what Liverpool need.

“Jordan Henderson is another who could possibly be in contention and there will be more who arrive in that time that could be up for it as well.]

“But if Lovren can come in and produce that sort of form then I am sure he will be in the running for it.”

He continues: “It is a real sign of pride and a huge responsibility to wear the captain’s armband though.

“You think of the captains that have gone before and you think of how long Stevie has had it - and rightly so - then it deserves that special mark of respect.

“I know when I wore it I had immense pride, I was never the true captain I was always the vice behind Stevie but hopefully it’ll be a few years before it does become available.”

Just over 12 months ago, Lovren was sat on the bench at French side Lyon.

He spent most of the final six weeks of the 2012-13 season marginalised and made a brave move to the South Coast in an attempt to reignite his career.

Left-centre-back, the Croatian international’s favoured position, was taken over by Samuel Umtiti, paving the way for an £8million move to the Premier League.

But Lovren didn’t just reignite during an impressive debut against West Bromwich Albion on the opening day, he blazed.

Loud, commanding, an organiser and a leader - all the qualities that suggest Lovren is more than capable of making the step up from Southampton to the even bigger stage of Liverpool.

And Carragher can see those same qualities too.

Now working as well-regarded analyst for Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football program, there was one evening in particular while working on the show that caught the 36-year-old’s eye and made him believe Lovren could make the step up.

“I saw him at Anfield when Southampton travelled there and I saw him against Manchester United as well and he was outstanding in both games,” Carragher adds.

“He got the winner at Anfield – I remember that well.

“But he looks like an organiser and he looks like a leader.

“There are a lot of good centre-backs out there and they’ll have different qualities but you don’t get many of that type and that’s what I saw in those games.

“At Old Trafford in particular he was communicating so well and hopefully he’ll bring that to Liverpool and I think that is certainly something that is needed.

“It is bigger stage and there will be bigger players around him so maybe he will find it a little tougher to organise those around him but that’s what it will be about.

“In that position he was as good as anyone in the first-half of the season.

“He did suffer with a few injury problems in the second-half of the campaign and that coincided with Southampton tailing off a touch but definitely in the first-half he was playing as well as anybody in his position.

“The game we highlighted on Monday Night Football was at Old Trafford and he was coming up against Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie, two world class strikers and he more than held his own – in fact he came out on top.

“He was aggressive and he was organising and that’s exactly what you want in a centre-back.

“There are a lot of centre-backs at Liverpool but given the money that they’ve paid for him it’s a question of who is going to partner him.

“Hopefully he can bring those leadership qualities because it may be easier to be a leader for Southampton, organising and telling people what to do at that level but it’s different when you’re talking about Liverpool.

“I think it’s apart of his game though so hopefully he can bring that to Anfield and that’s what Liverpool need is to be a touch tighter because going forward is what nearly won us the league.”

At 24 Lovren still has best years ahead of him. If he can fulfil much of the promise his form of last season suggests then he could go on to establish himself as a Liverpool great. It’s why the Reds have shelled out the money they have.

But Carragher doesn’t believe the pressure of the transfer fee will be a problem – the increased scrutiny of playing for a club of Liverpool’s size is something he will have to contend with though.

He says: “Without a doubt Lovren is a great age for a centre-back.

“You don’t really want a centre-back to be much younger than 24 really because they can go onto have a much longer career than players in different positions.

“Mid 20s you’re looking at getting a good seven or eight years out him if he can be a success for Liverpool and that would be a great service for the club if he could do that.

“At Southampton those little mistakes will have been brushed under the carpet but now when you play for Liverpool the spotlight is on you so much more it’s how you deal with that.

“It [the fee] has not got too much to do with him but what he can control is that he will put on that red shirt of Liverpool and he can be the one to go out and play under that scrutiny in front of thousands of supporters with that many people analysing your performance.

“That’s how he has to deal with it. I don’t think the price tag is the biggest thing in the world it’s more how he deals with being a Liverpool player, what’s expected of him and the fact that he’s been brought in to improve the side.”

Carra hails Rodgers for giving kids a go

Jamie Carragher only had one season working under Brendan Rodgers – but that’s all it took to see why the Liverpool boss is considered one of the best in nurturing young talent.

“He’s fantastic with the youngsters,” the Liverpool legend said.

“Right through every level he has been brilliant with them.

“Most importantly he’s given them a chance.

“Many other managers may have decided against that but it’s highly commendable that in this day and age Brendan puts his faith and trust in the youngsters.

“You look at young Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson and Jon Flanagan and how much their games have progressed under Rodgers and it says it all really.”

*You can follow Liverpool's tour of the USA every step of the way. James Pearce and Kristian Walsh will be bringing you news, views and exclusive footage from the Reds' trip, from Boston to Miami. There is also a dedicated live blog every day, running right through the day and covering the games.