“I think the difference that stopped Rafa winning the league”: Jamie Carragher opens up | OneFootball

Former Red Jamie Carragher has given his opinion on why Rafa Benitez did not win the Premier League title with Liverpool in 2009.

The 2008-09 Premier League season saw Liverpool only lose two matches. However, Manchester United still claimed the Premier League title.

Carragher believes that Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo was a key reason why Benitez did not claim the title that particular season.

“I know a lot has been made of Liverpool going through this season only losing one game which is unbelievable, but we had a season where we only lost two and never won the league to Gary [Neville]’s United team,” Carragher told Sky Sports’ Football Show, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

“I think the difference that stopped Rafa winning the league was [Cristiano] Ronaldo to be honest. Both teams were matched really well, but they just had the best player probably in the world at that time, just behind [Lionel] Messi.

“That was tough for our team and tough for Rafa Benitez but sometimes as a manager, you have to be in the right place at the right time.

“It’s not just your team but the opposition. You’re coming up against the great Man Utd team, Alex Ferguson one of the greatest managers of all time, it wasn’t easy.”

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ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

Ronaldo had a very good 2008-09 season. Ronaldo scored 18 goals and registered seven assists in the Premier League that season. Ronaldo claimed the Ballon d’Or in 2008, also.

In the 2008-09 season, Benitez did not possess a player in his squad that had just won the Ballon d’Or.

I also do agree with Carragher that Benitez was going up against a great Manchester United side.

Before the 2008-09 season, Manchester United had won the previous two Premier League titles.

The 2008-09 Manchester United team had the experience of winning the league. Benitez’s Liverpool did not.