Carragher's star return

All manner of theories abound when a player loses form. Particularly when he descends from the lofty height Jamie Carragher occupies.

Though he has possessed an edge which has made him imperious at the back Liverpool's vice-captain has so rarely been lauded outside the confines of L4. He was overlooked by a succession of international managers while a media which gnashed its teeth when centre halves fell victim to inconsistent form or injury never called for his name to top the list of alternatives let alone become a first pick.

However, England's loss has most certainly been Liverpool's gain.

Pundits only now taking note of his name would not usually concern the unassuming Bootle born defender. That would be unless their column inches and hot air were not concerning a lack of form which has bedevilled his season so far.

The term started average at best for Carragher who though a Blue while in short trousers has typified a spirit any boyhood Red would have brought to the team. His performances in arenas across the globe exemplify the character and standards of being a Liverpudlian. Some fans have identified with him more than the club captain.

Not all of Jamie's near 600 appearances have been as high profile as a magical night in Istanbul back in May 2005 but as a precis of the player and man it points to an absolute quality - sheer defiance, pure courage and heart.

These assets have seen him outlast and eventually see off a host of challengers to his place in the side.

Many thought he could have given so much that a 13 season career had stretched just a few months too far - at least at the highest level.

Typically honest and frank about his contribution as well as that of others Carragher has pointed a finger squarely in his own direction for part of Liverpool's travails. He has confessed to neither relaxing or sleeping after a game as he needed to pour over videos and stats.

Causes or reasons for the blip - as that what it now seems to be rather than any form of downward slide - experienced have not been easy to ascertain and even less clear to explain.

A desire for full-backs to thrust forward at every opportunity has been identified as unbalancing the usually rigid Liverpool defence. Though what seems certain is that Daniel Agger's return may just have arrested any further slide.

Liverpool lost at home to Lyon and errors were made by the rearguard but with the Dane amongst their number Carragher looked far more assured than he has done so far alongside Martin Skrtel.

Emiliano Insua was in no small way culpable for the French champion's winner which may have hinted at a continued lack of organisation amongst the four on duty. However, move the clock forward a few days and though the young Argentine made a couple of early errors he along with the overtly disciplined Glen Johnson were otherwise faultless.

Johnson certainly nailed the that lie he has no ability as a defensive full-back even if he does lack a few of the basics. His display against Manchester United was, though largely restrained, little short of consummate. Though not exactly unique.

On Sunday each defender and the unit remained compact and were superbly marshalled by the man with the armband which in turn set a template for the entire XI - front to back and from one flank to another.

It allowed the ball to be won in the engine room where Michael Carrick and Paul Scholes - though particularly the latter - had their usual rhythm disrupted. With play fired up towards the front two - something of a surprise to Alex Ferguson - Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt exploited the doubts and fallibilities evident in Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Up top the visitors were starved of the same type of service with Wayne Rooney isolated and Agger in no small measure responsible for Dimitar Berbatov's 74 minutes of toil.

There was no more creditable choice for Man of the Match especially with Steve Bruce not making the selection.

A man who has made Liverpool tick since Rafael Benitez asked him to turn out as a specialist centre back rather than something of a utility man was blocking and whether on the floor or in the air hunting down trouble with the same verve and force of nature in the challenge he displayed in Istanbul most notably - but many other less illustrious venues and occasions.

Aware of a Greek bearing gifts

With such a meagre pot at his disposal Rafael Benitez had to turn his attentions away from the capture of Michael Turner or Sylvain Distin. Not to mention Ryan Shawcross, Matthew Upson and others Sotirios Kyrgiakos was plucked from AEK Athens.

The £2 million price almost reflecting perfectly the rumoured sum at his disposal.

Though other areas of the team could have done with fortification or something approaching a world class addition short term a centre back was a priority.

Martin Skrtel may play on Monday against Aston Villa but his participation - extremely tentative as it is in the first place - may only be possible in a ’Phantom of the Opera’ style mask. Jamie Carragher will be patched up and sent out while Daniel Agger requires back surgery before he will play again.

Danny Ayala put in a competent enough display against Stoke in midweek. He didn’t do too badly at White Hart Lane either when Skrtel decided not even he could see out the final quarter but is too raw to expect to become the fourth first team option and at this point his development is best served by reserve team football.

Skrtel is a man who could give Nosferatu nightmares let alone Premiership forwards and it’s clear Kyrgiakos will provide some additional muscle in that position. The 30 year old stands 6’4” so is naturally commanding in the air and has mauled strikers plus countless midfielders in his homeland, Germany and Scotland. Not to mention those from a host of national sides.

Clearly an ability to dish it out was amongst the qualities the manager was looking at when selecting a new player.

Speaking at the press conference to announce the capture Benitez said: "He is a tough defender who is strong and good in the air. He has a strong character and we were looking for these things. He can score goals and will be a threat from corners and free-kicks. He's very strong in defence but he will need time as always to settle into the Premier League.

"We knew the player when he was with Rangers and we've been watching videos of him at Frankfurt and the national team. Our scout department had a lot of information.

He added: "We've talked about the things he's done before and the things he'll have to do for us. He knows what we want and he's ready to work."

Unlike those considered before him Kyrgiakos may have been a picking from the bargain bin which makes his signing low risk but with respect to all his previous employers this is the biggest move of his career albeit at a late stage which means he has every incentive to do well.