Former Liverpool defender Sami Hyypia says Jamie Carragher was the best player on the pitch when the Reds beat arch rivals Manchester Utd 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Hyypia played alongside Carragher over the course of his ten years at Anfield and says recent criticism of the Reds vice-captain is completely wrong.

“Carra had a cracking game, especially in the final stages of the match when United were pressing,” Hyypia said. “He was very solid and it was great to see him play this way, but I have always known that he is a strong character. Hopefully, now he can keep playing like this in the games to come because the matches do not exactly get any easier from here.

“Arsenal and Fulham are important games also and Liverpool will want to build on their performance against United because their victory will not be quite so important if they don’t.

“There are times when you are bound to get criticism as a player and it can be tough. Sometimes it can happen far too quickly, if you play just one bad game, and if you play a cracking game, then you are the best in the world.

“Players have to remember this and Carra is mentally strong. No one is expecting him to run the length of the field and smash the ball into the back of the net, but he is a very solid defender and an important part of the Liverpool team.”