Carragher scored two penalties - one an own goal - as his Liverpool side beat an Everton XI 4-1 with other strikes coming from Luis Garcia, Joe Cole and Nathan Eccleston. Former Reds and current Manchester United striker Owen received a mixed reception, unlike Gerrard who played the first 10 minutes despite having featured in England's 4-0 Euro 2012 qualifying victory over Bulgaria last night. Carragher admitted the plan had been for Owen to take Liverpool's penalty late in the first half only for the Anfield crowd to have a different opinion. "I asked the referee to give us a penalty before half-time because I was thinking about Michael as I wanted him to score - I totally forgot that people would want me to take one," said the 32-year-old, who hopes to raise £1million for his 23 Foundation through this game and a gala dinner. "He's my best mate in football and I think it took a lot of courage to come back today and do it for me knowing he would take a lot of stick. "But I think the crowd would have killed him if he'd taken the penalty listening to their reaction. "Then I was terrified of missing because that is what everyone would remember so I had to bluff the keeper into thinking I was putting it on the spot and take it quickly." On his own-goal penalty for the Toffees he said: "As an Everton fan as a kid I've always dreamed about scoring against Liverpool so that is why I did that." Carragher was delighted Gerrard was able to leave England duty to make a brief appearance. "A big thank you to the people at the FA because it is not easy as they had two massive games - but I think it helped they won last night," he added. "He is the best player I've ever played with so I'm delighted he was involved. "England always have to do a warm-down the day after so that was his warm-down." Gerrard felt it was important to play a part, however, small. "Because I'm so close to Jamie, not just as a team-mate but as a friend, I wanted to be here to share it with him," said the England and Liverpool captain. "I asked for permission to fly in and out and have a small cameo and he (Capello) was fine with it, although I'm sure his decision was based on beating Bulgaria 4-0."
