Jamie Carragher thinks Virgil Van Djik is the best centre-back in the world and that he has done more than enough to fill Carragher's shoes as a defender.
Carragher was speaking alongside Brian O'Driscoll at the launch of Sky's 'Sports Extra', and attention turned to the titanic Dutchman.
“Before Van Djik came along people used to say Liverpool haven’t really replaced Jamie Carragher, but they have really replaced him now haven’t they?
"I have no problem going on TV now saying that Van Dijk is the best centre back in the league. I think he’s the best centre-back in the world - he is a better player than I was."
Carragher, meanwhile, does not want to dwell on his playing career - and it was always his plan to start something new when he finished.
“I never wanted to be someone who was always looking back at their career.
"I think that’s one of the reasons I went into the media or it could have been coaching. I didn’t want to be remembered as Jamie Carragher who used to play for Liverpool.”
“In ten years time if I am still working for Sky in some ways people I want people watching football, especially the younger generation not to remember me as a footballer.
"It proves that I'm still doing something and I'm not always just looking back at my career.”
With the huge success of Monday Night Football, Carragher really enjoys the challenge of being on air.
"We're last to have a go at stuff, so we look at other shows and see what they've done. You get to the Monday and you think 'that's been done, so what's left?' So there are pros and cons to having more time to do things."
“I think it is the best sports show on TV. Not because I am on it, just because it's a great concept.
"I think people like the fact that we come across like the guy in the street or in the pub talking about football."
Carragher also has his own personal favourite pundits as well.
“I like listening to Graeme Souness and I like listening to Roy Keane as well - I think he’s a compelling character and he’s brilliant.”
Although Liverpool won the Champions League last year, he still feels there are a few areas they still need to improve.
"I still think they’re still a bit short at left-back with Alberto Moreno gone. I would like them to bring in a central midfielder as well. I would probably bring Coutinho back as well if they could get a good deal for him.”
Jamie Carragher & Brian O’Driscoll launch ‘Sports Extra’ on Sky. ‘Sports Extra’, which has six sports channels; BT Sport 1, 2, 3, ESPN and Premier Sports 1 & 2, will be available to new & existing Sky Sports customers from August 1 for just €10 extra a month. Alongside Sky Sports, the new pack will give sports fans an unbeatable range of sports and for the first time they can watch every single live Premier League game across Sky Sports, BT Sport and Premier Sports, all in one place.
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