Kenny Dalglish believes no-one deserves to have their career celebrated more than Jamie Carragher.

The defender will be honoured this afternoon when a Liverpool XI take on an Everton XI at Anfield in a testimonial to mark an incredible 15 seasons of imperious first-team service to the Reds.

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A whole host of Kop legends and football personalities have queued up to pay homage to Carragher ahead of the event - and Dalglish is the latest to extol the virtues of the No.23.

"There are not very many testimonials given out in this day and age," he told Liverpoolfc.tv. "For Jamie Carragher, it's very well deserved.

"It's a great opportunity for everyone to turn up and thank him for the service he's given Liverpool Football Club, which has been absolutely outstanding.

"Since the age of 18, he's been in the first team almost continuously. He fully deserves it and everything that comes in is going to good causes in and around the Merseyside area, which is further testimony to Jamie as a person, not just as a footballer.

"He's a good guy and cares about the people of Liverpool, and is also somebody who realises he's been more fortunate than others. He wants to put something back to help others and you cannot do anything but admire him for that."

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Carragher first crossed paths with Dalglish as a youngster taking his first steps into the game in the Liverpool schoolboy leagues.

Dalglish recalled: "He came here when he was 11. He played for Bootle boys and trained in Netherton. I used to go down and join in with them because my son Paul was in the same group, so I knew Carra.

"He was a good striker then - but he's turned out to be one of the best defenders the club has ever seen and certainly one of the most consistent.

"He's been here for a long, long time and developed throughout the years. He's played in midfield, full-back and centre-back - he'll probably be 'keeper next year!"

Along with Steven Gerrard, Carragher has been at the heartbeat of all Liverpool's successes over the past 15 years.

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Dalglish feels the defender's Scouse heritage make his achievements at Anfield that bit more special.

"The fans love anybody who is fully committed to the club and for it to be a local boy I think that makes it a bit more special for both parties," he said.

"It must be special for Carra to come through into the first team at a club in the city he was born. He is representing Liverpool and doing so admirably.

"He can relate to the people who come along and support - and they more than relate to him. They understand if he makes a mistake, it's an honest mistake and it's never due to a lack of endeavour or enthusiasm.

"His dad and his whole family have been a fabulous influence on him - people can relate to that here and they appreciate it."