You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone

"Playing the odd game here and there is not enough. Four or five years ago I was happy to have that role but not now."

And with that one of the best defenders in Europe turned his back on his national team. At 29, Jamie Carragher has decided to quit playing football for England, after an international career that's seen him shunted from pillar to post and asked to fill in whenever his country have a problem.

"Gary Neville can't play? Stick Jamie in there." "No Ashley Cole? Carra will do the job." "We need someone to play defensive midfield? Oh stick Carragher there, no will notice."

But if there was ever a problem at centre back, you could bet your life that the likes of Ledley King, Michael Dawson and even Wes Brown's claims would be heard louder than the Liverpool vice captain's.

A Champions League winners medal, indeed medals from every meaningful cup competition he's ever played in, would be conveniently overlooked just because, miracle of miracles, Jonathan Woodgate was fit again.

You can't really blame Carragher for his decision. It must feel like he's banging his head against a brick wall. People have made their minds up about him, he's the 'Scouse scally', the like of which shouldn't be in the England team. Heavens no, we can't have that.

The truth is, while that reputation may have been justified in his early career (we've all heard the stories) Carragher has now matured into the ultimate professional, the symbol of his club. Of all the amazing images from Istanbul 2005 the ultimate was the contorted face of Carragher, his body riddled with cramp, urging his team-mates to give every last drop of effort they had.

No-one was more disappointed after Athens, and no-one was more honest in his appraisal of the game. Liverpool had the chances to win and didn't take them. Milan took theirs with ruthless effiency. Hats off to them.

England fans write off Carragher as the utility man, the man who will plug a gap when needed, then respectfully bow out of the way when one of his more illustrious colleagues returns. He is so so much more.

Liverpool supporters won't be complaining. His decision could well prolong his club career by another year or two. He'll go on being the rock in the centre of the Reds defence for a few more years to come. Loved by his supporters but generally ignored by everyone else.

Carragher's 34 caps should have been at least doubled. His treatment by England means he's unlikely to miss wearing the Three Lions on his chest. Reds fans will be happy he's turned his back on his country. He deserves to be playing for a team where he's appreciated.

That team wasn't England. You can't help but feel that they'll regret it...