The young defender has progressed through the youth academy after joining as a 14-year-old and praises the Anfield stalwart ahead of his retirement at the end of this campaign
Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom has hailed the influence of Jamie Carragher on his career as well as revealing the extent to which the Anfield veteran continues to pass on his knowledge of the game.
The 19-year-old defender is enjoying his maiden campaign for the Reds, making 19 appearances since emerging from the academy, including four games in the Europa League, a competition which Brendan Rodgers’s side exited on Thursday night after an away goals defeat.
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And he attributes his development to the coaching sessions he received from Carragher, who is retiring from football at the end of the season, in the early stages of his time at Melwood.
“I was in the Under-16s,” Wisdom told the official club magazine. “I remember Carragher taking some of our sessions as part of his coaching qualifications. From there I progressed through the ranks.
“To now be playing with him is great. I learned a lot from him back then and I’m still learning a lot from him now. He’s still coaching me in training.
“In fact, I think he coaches everyone. He passes on so much information that he’s almost doing the job of a coach already.”
Wisdom has had to adjust quickly to the pace of life in the Premier League, particularly given the mixed season that Liverpool are enduring, but the Leeds-born full-back insists that he is enjoying the challenge.
“In each of the games I’ve played someone has tried to wind me up or intimidate me,” he said. “It doesn’t work because I can look after myself. I enjoy giving banter back too.
“When I was younger my physical attributes would sometimes get me out of trouble. In the Premier League you can’t rely on those as much because a lot of the players are big, strong and quick. You have to be good both technically and tactically. Those are areas I’m always working on.”
Wisdom has primarily featured at right-back for Rodgers this year, though he has shown his versatility too, as he was switched to centre-back against Anzhi Makhachkala and Chelsea in November.
It is a position Wisdom knows well, having played there frequently for the youth sides, but he insists he does not have a preference, as long as he is playing for the Reds.
“A lot of people have asked if I’ll play centre-back in a few years’ time,” he explained. “I just want to be on the pitch.
“Honestly, I’ll play anywhere. I played right-wing for the U18s and I could play in goal if I had to.”