Liverpool legend recounts Paul Ince exit and Gerard Houllier clash

The Reading boss played 81 times for the Reds from 1997 until 1999, returning from his two-year spell with Inter Milan.

Centre-back Carragher, who played 737 times for his hometown club, made his name in the side alongside Ince.

Appearing on the popular podcast, Diary of a CEO, the Sky Sports pundit was quizzed on his relationship with popular manager Gerard Houllier.

Houllier, who arrived in 1998, was in charge when Ince moved on to Middlesbrough for £1m.

Talking about a clash between the two, Carragher said: "Paul Ince, great player and a great fella, didn’t have the career at Liverpool that he maybe had at other clubs. I think Gerard Houllier wanted to make a fresh start and take on the big guy. He was certainly that, maybe England captain or vice-captain at the time, but he wanted to completely revolutionise Liverpool.

"He had words with Paul Ince. It wasn’t about him having words, as such, but he didn’t really back down. He held his own, had a strong argument in the team meeting and he stood up to one of the best midfield players of his generation.

"Paul Ince questioned what we were doing in training, as seasoned players do at times. Gerrard Houllier saw it as his opportunity to stamp his authority. It was almost like he was glad Paul Ince had said it. I don’t think the message was for Paul Ince, as I think he was always going to get rid of Incey, I think the message was to the rest of us. Don’t try and take me on.

Paul Ince was one of the bravest footballers you’ll see, but in a particular game against Manchester United we lost 2-1 in the last minute, and it was a very sore defeat for everyone. Because Incey had jumped up and said something, he [Houllier] went straight back and said he wasn’t very happy that he’d come off and said 'my captain should come off on a stretcher at Old Trafford.'

Going on to play another 230 career matches, as well as still playing for England, the 53-year-old retired in 2007.