Jamie Carragher mentioned Newcastle United when discussing the ongoing debate surrounding Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he will be leaving Liverpool this summer upon the expiration of his contract. While not yet announced, a move to Real Madrid looks the most likely outcome at this stage.
The England defender was booed by sections of the Anfield support on Sunday during Liverpool’s draw against Arsenal. Carragher has previously slammed Everton for criticising Newcastle star Anthony Gordon, so he was again asked for his opinion on the matter.
Interestingly, the former defender admitted being from the area did change his thinking when it came to playing for his local club, such is the importance of being one. Had he played for the likes of Newcastle United, Carragher admitted he wouldn’t have retired in 2013.
Jamie Carragher says he wouldn’t have retired in 2013 if he played for Newcastle
Carragher hung up his boots in 2013, having played 737 games for Liverpool while winning the Champions League, the UEFA Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups.
However, the pundit has now revealed he had the option to extend his stay at Anfield for another year. Still, he didn’t want to let the Liverpool fans down, believing he wasn’t good enough to warrant a place in the squad at that age. He believes having that local connection is hugely important, which in some way explains the reaction to Alexander-Arnold’s departure.
Had he played for Newcastle, though, Carragher would have extended his career.
“I was offered a contract, an extra year at Liverpool and I turned it down,” he said on Sky Sports.
“And the reason I turned it down is because I was a local player playing for Liverpool. Because I didn’t want to anger or upset the supporters because I didn’t think I was good enough to play for Liverpool every week, or 25-30 games, in that last season.”
He added: “If I was playing for someone else, Aston Villa, Tottenham or Newcastle or another club in the Premier League, I’d have signed another year.
“Because I’d have done that for myself, I’d have been thinking about myself.”
Jamie Carragher’s bold Newcastle United prediction could come true
Carragher thinks Newcastle can overtake Arsenal this season by finishing second.
At the time, that seemed optimistic at best.
Still, Eddie Howe’s side are only two points behind the Gunners now and could move ahead of them with a victory when they head down to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 2 |  ArsenalArsenal | 36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 66 | 33 | 33 | 68 |
| 3 |  NewcastleNewcastle | 36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 68 | 45 | 23 | 66 |
Having stepped up in pretty much every big game this season, Newcastle cannot be overlooked. They’ve already beaten the Gunners three times this season and securing Champions League football by doing it again would be a statement of intent ahead of next season.
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