Centurion Carragher will join foreign legion when his war ends

More than 20 members of "Team Carragher" will watch their hero become the first player in Liverpool history to play 100 European games.

Not bad for a lad from Bootle who was regarded as a bit-part player when he made his UEFA Cup debut against Celtic in 1997 alongside Paul Ince.

For the six thousand Koppites expected in Italy on Tuesday to watch Carragher break a club record as Liverpool defend a 2-0 first-leg lead against Inter Milan, it will be a rare opportunity to push Tom Hicks, Tom Gillett and Dubai Investment Capital to the back of their minds.

Carragher won the UEFA Cup for Gerard Houllier in 2001 and, most improbably, the Champions League in Istanbul three seasons ago.

Along the way, his entourage has become almost as famous as he has, a permanent fixture on England and Liverpool away trips. The player has heard so much about their travels, he wants to join them once he has retired.

"They have been everywhere I've been," he said. "My dad, two brothers, cousins and about 20 friends. My career hasn't just been about me — it has involved everyone.

"I'll go along with them to follow Liverpool as a fan when I've stopped playing. I'd have to travel with them on Carragher tours, of course. It doesn't matter how much money I've made, they would never let me get away with going first class.

"They will all be in Milan and this game will be special to us all, the 100th European game.

"It's hard to make history at a club like Liverpool because usually whatever you do, somebody else or another great Liverpool team has done better. So to be the first to achieve something makes me really proud."

Of course, there will be an extremely serious side to Carragher's first-ever visit to the San Siro. For one thing, the game represents Liverpool's last hope of a trophy from a season that promised so much.

And with Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United already in the Champions League quarter-finals, Carragher does not want to lose bragging rights after reaching Champions League finals in 2005 and 2007.

"I'm desperate to win the league but the European Cup is bigger," he said. "I wouldn't swap Istanbul for a league title. People will talk about that match in 50 years' time, like they talk about Real Madrid beating Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3.

"Whatever has happened in the league, winning the Champions League again would make it an unbelievable season."