Carra: Houllier's my top boss

[Arn]

I'm not surprised by this to be honest, it was under Houllier that Carragher established himself in the first team and became a regular and Houllier developed Carragher as a player. So it's natural IMO that Carragher has alot of respect and quite a high opinion of him.

Houllier is also credited with modernising the mentality of the club and was fairly successful at in the early to middle part of his reign.

Can't agree with this. Houllier didn't develop Carra as a player. It was only when Rafa moved him into the middle of the defence that he started to develop.

Houllier improved his mentality but not as a player.

He would probably been shipped out if it wasn't for Rafa. Carra was in and out of the team and played either on the left or right.

Rafa played him as a starting XI player. Houllier used him as a squad player.

[Arn]

Houllier improved the mentality.

Rafa improved the rest.

[dww]

Can't agree with this. Houllier didn't develop Carra as a player. It was only when Rafa moved him into the middle of the defence that he started to develop.

Houllier improved his mentality but not as a player.

He would probably been shipped out if it wasn't for Rafa. Carra was in and out of the team and played either on the left or right.

Rafa played him as a starting XI player. Houllier used him as a squad player.

Not quite sure the facts totally back you up. Carragher has played a pretty similar number of games each season since his break through. You are right that he was more of a utility player under Houllier though.

[Fredo]

His career took on to another level with Benitez though. Same can be said of Gerrard.

[Arn]

Not quite sure the facts totally back you up. Carragher has played a pretty similar number of games each season since his break through. You are right that he was more of a utility player under Houllier though.

Carra was back up in all positions in the defence, right, middle or left. That is probably why he started so many games but he wasn't first choice in any position.

[Fredo]

His career probably would have gone nowhere under Houllier. I remember him talking out of frustration as he was referred as a 'utility man' back in those days.

[Neil Young]

I don't think there's much wrong with what he said. Anyway it's his opinion - who cares?

As for suggesting Houllier didn't improve him as a player, well, he does say he regards him as a manager rather than a coach. The opposite has frequently been been said on here about Benitez so I hardly think there's anything particularly outlandish or ungrateful about the comments.

There's too much criticism on here for what people haven't said.

[Neil Young]

His career probably would have gone nowhere under Houllier. I remember him talking out of frustration as he was referred as a 'utility man' back in those days.

Who knows? Lots of centre backs gain experience in other positions as they develop, making the position their own when they enter their prime, i.e. mid to late twenties, as in Carragher's case. There was also the decline of Henchoz happening at much the same time.

The change of manager might be coincidental.

[Shaggy]

Cringeworthy stuff from Carra.

[Drago]

Don't see the problem with Carra praising Houllier at all.

[Vermilion]

Don't see the problem with Carra praising Houllier at all.

Nor me, but he's laying it on a bit thick imo with comments like Rafa inherited a team of winners and so it was easier; and such like.

[red g]

Think that's a bit harsh. The interviewee obviously wanted to talk about houiller and not rafa. I remember pre-leg break he was rubbish though. He came back after that and looked a lot better.

Houiller was instrumental in the rebirth of Liverpool as a European force, rafa took us to the pinnacle and roy is bringing us back to the souness days.

[Drago]

Nor me, but he's laying it on a bit thick imo with comments like Rafa inherited a team of winners and so it was easier; and such like.

Houllier did lay a lot of the groundwork for 05 though. Obviously it wouldn't have happened in a million years without Rafa, but Houllier played his part.

With regards to when Carra became a regular in the team it's a no brainer why he'd have such a high opinion of Ged.

[Leyton388]

Houllier did play his part in 05 by getting sacked. Houllier did sign a lot of the players in the 05 final but he also didn't get the best out of them which is what rafa did. Why not just say it was Jose who won the title for Chelsea last season as a lot of his signings are still there.

[Vermilion]

Houllier did play his part in 05 by getting sacked. Houllier did sign a lot of the players in the 05 final but he also didn't get the best out of them which is what rafa did. Why not just say it was Jose who won the title for Chelsea last season as a lot of his signings are still there.