Jamie Carragher reveals that Liverpool could have signed Everton midfielder James McCarthy when he was 16.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has been singing the praises of Everton midfielder James McCarthy.
The 23-year-old is a key player of the Toffees and has been one of the best for the Merseyside outfit so far this season.
Republic of Ireland international McCarthy has yet to score in nine Premier League appearances this campaign, but he has created four chances, has a 88% pass accuracy and has won 58% of his duels.
The former Wigan Athletic star has also been impressive for Everton in the Europa League, winning 71% of his duels and has a pass accuracy of 92%.
Carragher seems to hold McCarthy in high regard and wrote in The Daily Mail: ‘Everton have a rich history of building teams around influential central midfielders, headed by the ‘Holy Trinity’ of Alan Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey.
‘In the 1980s, the team I grew up watching was inspired by Peter Reid and Paul Bracewell, and it is looking more and more like James McCarthy, the Republic of Ireland international, is going to keep up past traditions. He has the potential to be one of the best in the Barclays Premier League…
‘Liverpool wanted to sign him when he was 16 and the better he plays for Everton, the more it is looking like a mistake that we allowed him to slip through our fingers. He didn’t want to leave Scotland at that age but Liverpool’s loss has been Everton’s gain.
‘I am a big fan of McCarthy and I never fail to be impressed when I see him. I do feel he needs to add more goals to his game but, if he can do that, he will be the real deal. Everton have a top player on their hands’.
McCarthy will be back in action today when Everton take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.
Roberto Martinez’s side are currently 10th in the league table with 13 points from 10 matches, five points behind fourth-placed West Ham United.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
