Jamie Carragher chokes up reflecting on dark period – 'Wouldn't wish it on my enemy'

Jamie Carragher was on the brink of tears as he discussed his son’s injury woes. The Liverpool legend, who had an almost flawless fitness record throughout his extensive career, confessed that he couldn’t understand why some of his team-mates seemed to be frequently injured.

However, this perspective shifted when his son, James, encountered a series of knee issues that jeopardised his aspirations of emulating his father’s success.

In a conversation with Ian Wright and Peter Schmeichel on The Overlap, 46-year-old Carragher appeared emotional as he delved into the pressures and challenges of witnessing his 21-year-old son’s suffering. “Twelve months ago I was in a dark place over my son’s injuries,” he admitted.

“I didn’t get injuries. When I was at Liverpool I’d go in the treatment room and I’d see people on the bed, and I could never get this out of my head, I’d [think] they’re faking it, they’re not tough enough. Because I didn’t get injured. I couldn’t understand that people got injured… and then my own son went through it.”

Carragher revealed that James’ knee troubles began during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which meant he wasn’t able to visit the hospital, undergo surgery or even consult a physio, and these issues plagued him for two years.

Carragher Jr began his football journey at Liverpool but departed the academy to join Wigan at the age of 15. His injury woes hindered his progress into the Latics’ first team, leading to a loan move to Oldham in 2022. However, after just five matches, his knee gave way again, necessitating immediate surgery.

The Carragher family held high hopes that the operation would resolve the issue, but these were shattered on the first day of pre-season ahead of the 2023/24 season.

“I’m thinking finally after two years he’s been to see the best person in London, great,” an emotional Carragher recalled. “He starts pre-season, I’m on holiday, and on the first day, he phones me. And as soon as he phoned me… I knew straight away, my stomach [gestures downwards].

“I booked a flight [home] that night. The holiday’s finished for me. I’ve got to get home. He can’t be at home alone with this. Seeing him and what we went through last summer to try and get to the bottom of it, I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy.”

James, who plays as a centre-back like his father, spent the subsequent months recuperating, and after regaining full fitness in January, was loaned out to Inverness Caledonian Thistle. There, he made 20 appearances across all competitions – his longest run of games in senior football.