Jamie Carragher’s pre-season prediction for Rafa Benitez’s time in charge at Everton was proven right after the Spanish coach’s departure on Sunday.
The Blues put an end to Benitez’s six-and-a-half month reign, following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to relegation-threatened Norwich.
A disappointing run of results have seen Everton slip down to 16th in the league after a promising first few weeks of the campaign.
And ex-Liverpool defender Carragher predicted one of the worst moments of Benitez ’s tenure, when previewing the season in August.
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“I'm looking forward to seeing Benitez at Everton. I just want to sit back with a big, massive pile of popcorn and just watch this unfold,” he said when speaking at a live event for The Overlap .
“I’m very intrigued.
“I mean, my dream scenario - the first derby is at Goodison isn’t it? - is for Liverpool to go 1-0 up, 2-0 up at Goodison and the Liverpool fans to start chanting Rafa Benitez’s name and just watch the reaction in that stadium.”
"No chance it'll happen," was the response from one member of the audience, with Carragher replying: “Oh it will, it happened every year we were playing!”
Carragher , who played under Benitez for six years at Everton’s bitter rivals, was ultimately proven right as Jurgen Klopp’s side took a 2-0 lead inside 19 minutes, eventually recording a 4-1 win.
For possibly the first time in the fixture’s history , the Liverpool fans in the away section opted to sing the Everton manager’s name, as a further reminder of Benitez’s ties across Stanley Park.
However, despite Carragher’s desire to reach for popcorn, Everton chose to stick by the 61-year-old after the defeat in December, with subsequent results, not rivalry, eventually forcing owner Farhad Moshiri’s hand.
One win in 13 league games, compounded by dismal performances against Brighton and Norwich, proved to be the last straw as Benitez left his role after just 22 games in charge.
