Carragher sticks to his guns

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

McClaren made a personal visit to Liverpool's training ground on Monday for a face-to-face meeting with Carragher, but the situation remained the same, with the tough defender politely declining a request to change his mind.

Reds boss Rafael Benitez said: "I was aware that Steve McClaren has spoken to Carra again, and I was not made aware of the outcome but it is something for the player to decide."

He added: "In such situations, you always have to support your player and respect his decision. He is a great player and has never let his country down, but if this now means that I can use him more for Liverpool then I am obviously pleased."

Carragher will be part of a Liverpool defence that will be trying to ensure a safe passage into the group stages of the Champions League.

Toulouse, who beat French champions Lyon on Saturday, believe they can produce an upset in what are expected to be extremely warm conditions.

But Liverpool are expected to successfully negotiate this third-round qualifier, with Benitez insisting: "We will try to solve the problem here but, if not, we always have Anfield waiting for us."

Benitez's other problem has been to play down any dissension over his rotation policy, with Peter Crouch having had talks with the manager after being left out at Aston Villa on Saturday.

The Spaniard, who left Jermaine Pennant behind for Wednesday's match, said: "I have prepared the same speech for all the players, because I realise that I will hear this same question regularly because we have a good squad and I have to decide."

He joked: "Sadly I have been unable to persuade FIFA, UEFA, and the Premier League to allow me to use 12 players in every game! I can only use 11. And I cannot have more than 18 players in a squad for a European match, unfortunately."