Jamie Carragher marked his big day with a goal for each side as his Liverpool team beat an Everton XI 4-1 in his testimonial at Anfield.

The 32-year-old defender scored from the spot in the first half for the Reds before converting a penalty own-goal for the club he supported as a boy after the break.

After Luis Garcia’s second-minute opener it was only fitting the veteran defender claimed the spotlight as he celebrated 14 years’ professional service with the Reds.

The teams looked one-sided as Carragher was able to call on favours from current team-mates Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole as well as former players Michael Owen, Luis Garcia, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy and Jerzy Dudek.

But if you were being charitable to Everton, managed by David Moyes, you could say they did not want to spoil the occasion.

Gerrard, given dispensation by Fabio Capello after featuring in England’s 4-0 victory over Bulgaria last night, played the opening 10 minutes before being replaced by Murphy.

On the bench former Reds manager Gerard Houllier warmed up for a possible Premier League return with Aston Villa by sitting alongside current boss Roy Hodgson

Manchester United striker Owen assumed the role of pantomime villain with a mixed chorus of boos and cheers from the crowd of 35,631 greeting his every touch.

He played up to his new status when his shot struck Jose Baxter’s arm for the 44th-minute penalty, pretending to lay claim to the spot-kick before allowing Carragher to take two steps and roll the ball past Iain Turner.

Prior to that referee Mark Halsey had provided the comedy moment when he delivered a slap around the head to Lee Carsley after booking the Toffees midfielder for theatrically kicking the ball away.

Luis Garcia’s goal after being set up by Cole and Heskey on the right of the penalty area was a sign of things to come.

Owen had a shot tipped around the post, Luis Garcia sidefooted wide Cole’s cross, Heskey – as he often did in a Liverpool shirt – squandered a great chance when he skewed well off target after being put though and Murphy also rolled a shot wide.

In the second half Cole volleyed in his first goal at Anfield – having missed a penalty at the ground in the Europa League qualifier against Trabzonspor – from Ryan Babel’s cross and reserve team striker Nathan Eccleston fired home.

In between Carragher fouled James Vaughan and saved the Everton player the trouble by shooting past Brad Jones, making his first appearance in a Liverpool shirt after signing last month from Middlesbrough.

Carragher is hoping to raise £1million for his 23 Foundation from his game and a gala dinner, with proceeds going to local groups and charities.

Jamie Carragher wants to tell Sir Alex Ferguson that it was not Manchester United but Graeme Souness that knocked Liverpool off their perch.

Carragher, 32, will today enjoy his testimonial with the likes of Michael Owen, Danny Murphy, Jerzy Dudek, Luis Garcia and Emile Heskey all set to turn out at Anfield, with Gerard Houllier also attending.

Carragher has made 635 appearances for Liverpool since making his debut in January 1997, three years into Roy Evans’ spell as manager after he had replaced Souness.

The Bootle-born defender readily admits he would love to learn from the likes of Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Fabio Capello, who persuaded the defender to come out of international retirement and represent England in their disastrous World Cup campaign.

He told the Daily Mail: “The likes of Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, I could talk to them all day and that’s one reason I answered the call from Fabio Capello to go to the World Cup. I wanted to see him at close quarters.

“I wasn’t disappointed and got on great with him. He used to make me laugh every day. It was just the way he was – no messing. I loved that.”

The Reds stalwart then settled on Ferguson as the manager he would most like to interview and added: “What would I ask him? How long have you got? All day?

“If I was in his company, I would also tell him first off, that Manchester United never knocked Liverpool off their perch as he put it.

“That’s nonsense. Graeme Souness did that.

“When United were going for their first title under Ferguson in 1992-93 they were competing with Norwich and Aston Villa. They weren’t competing with Liverpool, were they?”

Former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier could work alongside Kevin MacDonald in a director-of-football-type role if he takes the Aston Villa job.

Houllier has emerged as one of the leading contenders to replace Martin O’Neill who quit as manager three-and-a-half weeks ago.

Houllier has created a favourable impression with Villa owner Randy Lerner after being interviewed by the American multi-millionaire.

But the possibility of Houllier working alongside MacDonald rather being in charge solely in his own right is under strong consideration.

Former Liverpool midfielder MacDonald is widely respected in football circles for his coaching abilities and he has impressed during his five games in charge.

And Houllier may prefer a director-of-football-type role as he would not have to encounter the pressures of being in the dug-out after suffering a heart attack during his reign at Liverpool.

Lerner is likely to make an announcement about O’Neill’s successor during the early part of next week ahead of Villa’s next clash at Stoke on September 13.

Houllier, who is 63 today, left Anfield six years ago and has been employed as France’s technical director since parting company with Lyon in 2007.

He enjoyed considerable initial success with the Reds and led them to a UEFA Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble in 2001.

Villa believe he has the reputation and CV to keep Villa on an upward curve after three successive top- six finishes in the Premier League.

Before he moved to Liverpool, he also enjoyed title success with Paris St Germain and spent a decade overseeing the development of French football.

Former West Ham boss Alan Curbishley and MacDonald have also been interviewed for the post by Lerner and Villa chief executive Paul Faulkner.

Roberto Donadoni is also intererested in the job.

New Stoke City signing Marc Wilson reveals he had little trouble deciding on whether to join the join the cub on transfer deadline day as he was desperate for a Barclays Premier League return.

Having been relegated with Portsmouth last season the 23-year-old was forced to consider his future and when Potters manager Tony Pulis came calling he leapt at the chance.

“I was impressed with what Tony had to say from the start,” said Wilson.

“He was very positive and it didn’t take me long to make my mind up.

“I’d heard West Ham were interested, but I didn’t speak to anyone there.

“This is a great club and I couldn’t wait to come back to the Premier League because it is every player’s ambition to be in the top flight.

“I had a taste of the Premier League last season and I wanted to get back there as soon as possible.

“Leaving Portsmouth was difficult because I’ve been there for so long, but I wish them well and my aim now is to do my best for Stoke.”

Hopefully I can make my debut against Aston Villa.

Marc Wilson

Wilson was one of three deadline day signings with former Barcelona and Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen and ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant also signing at the Britannia stadium.

But the competition for places does not worry the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international.

“Obviously Eidur and Jermaine are top players and it was a good feeling to be joining the club on the same day,” he told The Sentinel.

“But there are a number of very good players here already.

“There has already been a bit of banter thrown around and it seems to be a lively dressing room.

“Hopefully I can make my debut against Aston Villa (on 13th September) and build a good rapport with them straight away.

“But if I’m not selected, I’ll bide my time until I get my chance.”

Full Time Result betting for the Potters’ home clash against Villa has Stoke at 2.30 to get the win, Villa can be backed at 2.87 while the draw is 3.25.

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Former Aston Villa player Alan Curbishley has emerged as one of the candidates to succeed Martin O’Neill at the helm of the midlands club.

Curbishley, who has been out of football since ending his spell as West Ham manager two years ago, is understood to have been interviewed by Villa on Wednesday.

Betting for the Next Permanent Manager of Aston Villa has Alan Curbishley at odds of 4.50 to get the job.

He joins reserve team coach Kevin MacDonald (2.25), who formally applied for the role on Tuesday after a spell as caretaker manager, in being in contention for the post.

Curbishley built an impressive managerial reputation by establishing Charlton as a top-flight club.

That experience would fit Villa’s criteria of wanting a manager with Premier League know-how although this has not ruled MacDonald out of the equation.

Curbishley won a case of constructive dismissal against West Ham after parting company when several players were sold without his permission.

The 52-year-old joined Villa as a player from Birmingham in 1983 and made 36 appearances for the club.

Villa (currently 11.00 to finish in the top four of the Premier League 2010/11) are to speak to other potential candidates before making an appointment, which they hope will come before the next league match at Stoke after the international break.

Ronald Koeman (21.00) has also made it public that he would be interested in the role.

But speculation linking Mark Hughes (34.00) and David Moyes (15.00) to Villa looks to be way off the mark.

Full Time Result betting for Villa’s match with Stoke on Monday 13th September has Aston Villa at 2.87 to win in 90 minutes, with the Potters 2.30 and the draw 3.25.

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