Dudek thanks Carra for Istanbul advice
Champions League-winning goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has recalled the moment when Jamie Carragher's passionate advice helped to change his life and football career forever.
The Polish stopper played as significant a role as any Liverpool player when the Reds lifted the European Cup in 2005, famously denying Andriy Shevchenko in extra time with a scarcely believable double save.
Dudek proceeded to keep out two penalties in the subsequent shoot-out - but only after Carragher insisted that the 'keeper should copy Bruce Grobbelaar's 'wobbly legs' antics from 21 years previously.
Reflecting on that night almost eight years ago, Dudek told LFC TV's new 'Carragher' documentary: "Suddenly Jamie Carragher jumped on my back, pushing me and telling me 'put them under pressure, do something on the line like Grobbelaar. You remember Grobbelaar put them out of concentration.'
"I said: Jamie, let me study the penalties first, we've only got two minutes - please, let me concentrate now. It was funny but I was really focused on my target. When I went to take my position in the goal I was thinking I would try a little bit to destroy them.
"If Jamie hadn't got on my back that day, pushing me and giving me advice for what I should do for the penalties - I don't know, maybe I would have done a little bit, I wanted to move on the line with sideways movements. But not wobbly legs.
"It's growing up; when you see something works, you do it more and more. No-one else would do it to me but he wants everything to be right. We had a laugh after the game when we came back with the memories. He said 'Thanks to me, you did that.' I said: '50/50, let's say.'"
No sooner had Dudek pushed away Shevchenko's penalty to hand Liverpool their fifth continental title than Carragher was sprinting from the halfway line huddle to congratulate the goalkeeper.
"It was a great feeling to see him running towards me - I think he realised that it's the greatest moment of our life. Everyone was waiting, working hard; even Jamie," the 40-year-old added.
"If you remember at the beginning of his career at Liverpool, he didn't have a great time - changing managers, changing positions. If you keep going, you get a chance to win something.
"The Champions League final was all about the Liverpool character: fighting, working and waiting for what's going to happen.
"Even if you don't win something, take advantage - learn from your mistakes and go forward stronger. The Champions League final is like Jamie's career - always up to the top. It was really nice to meet him and play with him.
"It was always a big insurance to have him in front of you. Even sometimes you saw the striker almost shooting from a clear position, but in a second Carra blocked - you didn't know where he came from.
"I remember Istanbul, in extra time, when he was doing everything. He had cramp everywhere but he was getting up and making a tackle again. That was all about Carragher.
"It's a shame he's not a football player anymore but he's a good example for the younger players of how to be good on the pitch. He knew a lot about football; when to push, when to go back."
How then should the centre-back be remembered in Liverpool history, in the goalkeeper's opinion?
"He should be remembered as a very passionate human being because we know all about him as a football player, but off the pitch he was a nice guy and really helpful," said Dudek.
"He will be remembered as one of the hearts. Let's say Steven Gerrard is the motor of the team and Jamie Carragher is the heart of the Liverpool body."
A new documentary featuring Jamie Carragher's managers, teammates and some high-profile opponents airs for the first time at 7pm BST on Friday, May 24 on LFC TV. 'Carragher' will also be available on LFC TV Online and will conclude a fortnight of tributes across club media.
