Jamie Carragher is one of the best-known Premier League pundits today, and during his playing career, was one of the best top-flight defenders around.
After progressing through Liverpool’s academy, Carragher would spend his entire career at Anfield, making 737 appearances for the Reds between 1996-2013.
Despite never winning the Premier League, the centre-back would lift two FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and the UEFA Cup.
Carragher was once asked to name his best Premier League XI of all-time, however, he was excluded from naming Liverpool players, meaning the likes of Steven Gerrard, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were banned from his team.
Jamie Carragher’s best Premier League XI without Liverpool stars
11
Peter Schmeichel
Man Utd, Aston Villa, Man City
Instead of going with Chelsea’s Petr Cech or Arsenal’s David Seaman, Carragher selected Peter Schmeichel.
Arguably the best the Premier League has ever seen in between the sticks, Schmeichel won all five of his English titles at Old Trafford, but did represent Aston Villa and Manchester City later on in his career.
10
Gary Neville
Man Utd
Carragher’s partner in crime as a pundit is Gary Neville, but the two battled it out on the pitch during their playing days.
A Manchester United legend, Neville and Carragher regularly butted heads at Old Trafford or Anfield, however, the Red Devils man is the most successful right-back of all time, winning eight Premier League titles.
9
Vincent Kompany
Man City
Arguably one of Manchester City’s best value for money signings came in 2008 when Vincent Kompany joined for just £6m.
The Belgian played a key role in the Citizens’ recent dominance, captaining City to numerous titles. His leadership and world-class defensive ability was perfect for a number of superstar midfielders and attackers in front of him.
8
John Terry
Chelsea
An iconic centre-back Carragher partnered with on occasions for England was Chelsea star John Terry.
The former Blues and Three Lions captain has gone down as one of the best central defenders the Premier League has ever seen, winning five titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League.
7
Denis Irwin
Man Utd, Wolves
In a selection that might surprise some, Carragher decided to pick Denis Irwin over Ashley Cole at left-back.
A brilliant and arguably underrated full-back, Irwin went under the radar at Old Trafford, winning seven Premier League titles, capable of playing on either side under Sir Alex Ferguson.
6
Patrick Vieira
Arsenal, Man City
Patrick Vieira was a no-nonsense midfielder who could do it all for Arsenal and captained the Gunners under Arsene Wenger.
The Frenchman’s box-to-box nature saw him become one of the most powerful midfielders the Premier League has seen, with Carragher knowing just how hard Vieira was to face.
5
Roy Keane
Nottingham Forest, Man Utd
Now a partner of Carragher’s on The Stick to Football podcast, Roy Keane was a regular rival of Carragher’s during their playing days.
Known best for captaining a hugely successful Manchester United side, Keane’s leadership helped the Red Devils win seven titles in his 12 years at Old Trafford.
4
David Silva
Man City
Finishing off the midfield is David Silva, with the Spaniard lifting four Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Silva’s world-class dribbling ability saw him contribute to more than 200 goals in 436 City games.
|
David Silva’s Man City stats |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
436 |
|
Goals |
77 |
|
Assists |
136 |
|
Trophies |
14 |
3
Thierry Henry
Arsenal
Carragher knows just how good Thierry Henry was during his time in England with Arsenal, with the Frenchman scoring nine goals in 18 games against the Reds and Carragher. Now, the pair work together on CBS Sports alongside Micah Richards.
Henry was a huge part of the Gunners’ ‘Invincible’ side and scored 175 league goals in the Premier League in 258 appearances, lifting the title twice.
2
Alan Shearer
Blackburn, Newcastle
The most prolific goalscorer in Premier League history is Alan Shearer, who won the title with Blackburn Rovers before going on to become Newcastle United’s record scorer over a 10-year period.
Shearer also won the Golden Boot in the 1994-95, 1995-96, and 1996-97 seasons, coming up against Carragher at Anfield in the latter years of his career.
