Carragher has his say on England's World Cup

The ex-Liverpool defender told 'Sky Sports' about how much he has enjoyed watching England at this World Cup, and how far the side have come under the guidance of Gareth Southgate.

The team were not expected to get very far in the tournament when it started, but thanks to the style of play and bold choices that the England manager has made in the lead up to the competition, they have got much further than anyone had thought was possible.

Carragher believes that a major reason for this is Southgate being able to find a system and way of playing taht suits the players, and the way they play for their club sides.

"He is also using what a lot of these players have learnt from foreign managers over the last few years in the Premier League, like what Pep Guardiola has done at Manchester City, playing different systems with a different type of football." he said

"Klopp, Pochettino, Mourinho, Conte too and with Steve Holland as his assistant, Conte started playing three at the back which Premier League teams then took on.".

The player, who was capped 38 times for his country, also thinks that this tournament is different because of the way that England fans have responded to their team, something that he never really felt as a player under managers such as Sven Foran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

"I think the supporters have all come together like a team. There are times in the past where it hasn't gone so well and fans have supported players from their own teams, criticising others, but there appears to be a great togetherness with the team." he added.

"You can't really remember that in my time as a player. It is probably something that I'm disappointed about looking at the scenes now and what you could be involved in. I probably have to go back to Euro '96 and Italia '90 to remember scenes like this".

The national side have not reached the semi-final of a major tournament since 1996, and got to the last 4 of a World Cup since 1990. While some have criticised the side's run for being easy, having come up against sides like Panama, Tunisia and Sweden, Carragher believes that the shift in mentality in this England team comapred to previous generation s is what should be applauded.

"People have questioned the opposition they've come up against and that may be a valid argument, but they have been stronger than every opposition. When you play for England at a major tournament, there's not just who you play but handling the occasion and that's what they've done with ease." he concluded.