Jamie Carragher Ready to Leave Liverpool: Are We Ready To Let Him Go?

Jamie Carragher has today announced that he is fully prepared to walk out of Anfield if the club do not offer an extension to his current contract.

His current deal expires at the end of the 2010-11 season and Liverpool are yet to enter negotiations on extending this.

The veteran defender told the Sunday Times , "I'll still play my best and if I have to move then I'll move. It wouldn't bother me."

Harsh words from a man who has proven he is not one to bow to pressure when he walked on the England set-up in 2007, having become fed up of a life on the bench at international level.

Having started his playing time as a utility man that could play anywhere across the defensive line, he really came into his own when Benitez arrived at Liverpool in 2004.

Rafa stopped playing him regularly at full back and switched him to a permanent slot alongside Sami Hyypia in the heart of the defence. This led to the creation of one of the most successful partnerships of Liverpool's Premiership era, with Carra and Sami as miserly as anyone in the league for years.

Some have accused him of a drop in form this campaign, with Liverpool shipping more goals than expected and showing particular weakness from set pieces.

But Carragher could not be a player criticised for a lack of effort, a common problem with the Reds this season. He has always given his all, exemplified in his characteristically dogged performance in the Merseyside derby.

It is a very real possibility that Carragher could leave Liverpool when his current deal expires. He has previously hinted he wouldn't be happy as a back-up player and wants first-team football until he retires.

This isn't something Liverpool could offer if they still harbour hopes of taking a league title in the near future. He could go the way of his old team-mate and enjoy a renaissance abroad.

Hyypia has been a triumph at Leverkusen ; the only match they have lost this season was when he wasn't playing. Hyypia left with the blessing of the club and the fans and it would be cruel to deny Carragher a similar farewell if he wanted to try his hand at a new challenge.

Carragher has represented Liverpool over 500 times in his 14 year career with the Reds and has long been at the heart of the back four.

Were he to depart it would leave a hole not just in defence, but in the soul of Liverpool Football Club.

Yes, Benitez should offer him a new deal, but they might not be able to offer him first team football until the end of his career.

But fans need to accept that a servant of his stature deserves an honourable discharge if that is what he wants.