Jamie Carragher confirms Liverpool have held transfer talks with Cristiano Ronaldo

Jamie Carragher has recalled the time Cristiano Ronaldo almost signed for Liverpool instead of Manchester United. Speaking fervently on the Overlap podcast alongside Gary Neville and Ian Wright, the Anfield icon said former manager Gerard Houllier was in talks with Ronaldo's agent in 2003 to secure a move from Sporting CP.

Ronaldo eventually joined Manchester United, much to the disappointment of Carragher who expressed his desire for such a talent at Liverpool. He lamented: “I would say Cristiano Ronaldo [is the player I most wanted to play with] and the reason I say that is because when he signed for United I think we were ready for him.

Shedding light on the fine margins that define football's sliding doors, Carragher continued with a story told by Phil Thompson, hinting at how close Liverpool were to landing Ronaldo's signature before headlines broke that he was being linked with Old Trafford.

“That’s when Gerard Houllier and Phil Thompson – Phil Thompson tells the story that he thought we had it. He was talking to the agent and before you know it, Sky Sports News is saying ‘Ronaldo’s gone to United’ – and I think about what we were missing probably in the best teams I played in at Liverpool.”

He then reflected wistfully on Liverpool's rich history of exceptional players, but pointed to a void in their squad, recalling the dearth of a world-class player since the days of John Barnes. Carragher's thoughts on Ronaldo's presence at Anfield underline the importance of such potential signings, as he concluded: “I think we've had world-class players or very good players in every position over a 10-year period, but I don't think we've ever had a world-class player.

“Look, we had the best with John Barnes in the late 80s, but I think if you went through the 90s, I don't think we ever had a player of that calibre.” Phil Thompson, Liverpool's assistant manager at the time, also recounted a dinner in Lisbon with Ronaldo's agent Tony Henry where they discussed the details of the transfer.

It seemed almost certain that Ronaldo would soon be wearing the Liverpool shirt, but Sir Alex Ferguson intervened and convinced him to join Manchester United. Thompson was stunned to learn that Ronaldo had decided to join Liverpool's rivals.

He told The Athletic of the moment he found out: “On Tuesday morning we were having lunch at the training ground and the yellow message on Sky Sports came up: ‘Manchester United have signed Cristiano Ronaldo for £12.2m’. Gerard and I nearly choked on our food.

“I remember Gerard jumping up and saying, 'What the hell happened there?'” Despite Liverpool boasting top-class wingers like Harry Kewell, Luis Garcia and Dirk Kuyt from 2000 to 2010, none could match Ronaldo's impact at Manchester United. Ronaldo scored an impressive 118 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils from 2003 to 2009, winning three Premier League titles, two League Cups, an FA Cup, a Community Shield and a Champions League before his club-record £80 million move to Real Madrid.

The football icon's stint at his old stomping ground in 2021 wasn't exactly a triumphant one. Despite an impressive 27-goal haul, his run was marred by disputes, including a notable clash with then-new manager Erik ten Hag. The partnership ended prematurely in November 2022 when both parties agreed to part ways.

Cristiano Ronaldo expressed his feelings at the time, saying: “Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to terminate our contract earlier than expected. I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never change. However, it feels like the time has come for me to look for a new challenge. I wish the team every success for the rest of the season and for the future.”