Sport Jamie Carragher explains why Liverpool rejected Jose Mourinho as manager The former Chelsea and Manchester United boss was a name in the frame for the Liverpool job in the summer of 2004, but the Reds went with Rafa Benitez instead Share Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now Sign up to FREE email alerts from Mirror - Manchester United FC Subscribe We will use your email address to send you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for more information on how we use your data and your data protection rights. Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Jamie Carragher has explained why Liverpool opted to snap up Rafa Benitez as manager during the 2004 summer break over Jose Mourinho, who had just won the Champions League with Porto.

Both bosses were hot property during that period, with Mourinho bringing great success to Porto, winning the Portuguese cup and league titles, along with the European trophy, while Benitez had just won his second La Liga with Valencia in three seasons.

Mourinho likely had the edge, but Carragher, speaking on the Sky Sports Football Podcast, said it was likely the management style and demeanour of Benitez which saw the Reds go for the Madrid-born boss.

The 42-year-old said: "Gerard Houllier had lost his job, and (chief executive) Rick Parry had interviewed Rafa Benitez at some stage. Mourinho famously ran down the touchline when Porto beat Man Utd in 2004 (Image: Reuters) Read More