Liverpool

Jamie Carragher: 'Steven Gerrard mentally tough'

By Paul Gorst, Reporter | 30 November 2014

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher talks up the mental strength of former teammate and club captain Steven Gerrard as a factor behind his longevity.

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has highlighted Steven Gerrard's mental strength after the Reds captain celebrated his 16-year anniversary at the club earlier this week.

Gerrard made his Liverpool debut back in November 1998 and has been the skipper since 2003, and Carragher has praised his former teammate for his ability to handle the pressure of playing for his boyhood club.

He told the club's official website: "To be a Liverpool player, you obviously need to have ability. But to stay there for the number of years - or your entire career like Stevie - you have to be made of the toughest stuff mentally.

"There is so much emotion involved when representing your local club. You are aware of the history and the traditions of success. The challenge to continue that tradition is unrelenting.

"To be captain for so long, it probably reveals more than anything else about his strength and character."

Gerrard came off the bench as Brendan Rodgers's side beat Stoke City 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday.