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Tom Werner has hailed the “immense contribution” of Jamie Carragher to Liverpool FC as he vowed there will always be a role for the retiring centre-back at Anfield.

The Reds chairman paid a glowing tribute to the long-serving vice-captain who will make his 737th and final appearance for the club in Sunday’s home clash with Queens Park Rangers.

Werner praised Carragher’s loyalty and admits the 35-year-old, who made his debut back in 1997, will be sorely missed once he has hung up his boots.

“To spend 16 years in the first team at Liverpool is testament to Jamie’s professionalism,” Werner told the ECHO.

“He really is an extraordinary person and a man of remarkable integrity.

“His love for the club is such that he has always put Liverpool first. In moments of adversity he’s been there, lifting players around him.

“He gives everything and suffers for the team.

“It’s the character of the man which I’ve found so impressive. He shows that enormous heart off the field as well as on it. I saw that in Boston last year when he was with his son. He’s a real family man.

“He has shown his commitment to the Merseyside community and his generosity with the work of his Foundation and all the charity work he does.

“I was talking to Gerard Houllier at a football dinner a few months ago and what he said was absolutely spot on. He said that everyone knows all about Jamie’s work ethic and how fantastic that is.

“But Gerard said that in addition to his leadership qualities he felt that technically Jamie had been under-rated.

“He’s been a defender of great talent and has had an illustrious career. Very few players in sports have a career like Jamie.

“It’s extremely rare in any sport for someone to dedicate their whole career to one club, especially in an age where loyalty tends to be secondary to other considerations.

“He has been with the club since he was a young child and I will always be appreciative for what Jamie has done.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to get across for Sunday’s game, but I spoke with Jamie when I was in the UK a few weeks ago and thanked him on behalf of everyone for the immense contribution he has made to Liverpool Football Club.”

The American, who was speaking to the ECHO from New York, admits owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) had hoped Carragher would decide to carry on playing for a further 12 months and he knows replacing the Bootle-born defender this summer will be tough.

Carragher will start work as a TV pundit for Sky Sports in August but Werner says there will always be vacancy for him at Anfield if he decides to make the move into coaching.

“We hoped he would play on for another season but we fully respect his decision to retire,” Werner said.

“He wants to leave the party before the last call and I understand that.

“I have nothing but admiration for him – both on and off the field.

“It’s a big challenge to try to replace him. He’s a unique individual and I think finding another player just like him will be impossible.

“We wish Jamie well in his new career and the door will always be open for him at Liverpool.

“I really hope we see him back at the club one day because with all that experience and knowledge we know he has so much to offer.

“Whether it’s as a coach, an analyst or whatever, there will always be a job for him here.”