Next Game

Indonesia All Stars v Liverpool

Saturday, 20 July 2013, 14:30

Friendly Match

Anfield

Last Game

Liverpool 1 - 0 QPR

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 16:00

Barclays Prem

Rafa won't rule out Reds return

Rafael Benitez has refused to rule out a second coming at Liverpool ahead of his first match on Merseyside as Chelsea boss.

Last Updated: 28/12/12 at 23:07 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Manager Specials. Click here to bet.

Rafael Benitez: You never know what can happen in football

Rafael Benitez: You never know what can happen in football

Interim Blues manager Benitez has been linked previously with a return to Anfield and will be a free agent again at the end of the season.

Sunday sees Benitez take a team to Merseyside for the first time since he was sacked by Liverpool two-and-a-half years ago when Chelsea visit Everton in the Premier League.

And asked if he could see himself returning to manage his former club one day, he said: "At the moment, I'm really pleased here.

"I want to keep winning and you never know what can happen in football.

"I have a very good relationship with the fans and the city but I'm a good professional and that means I will give 100% for this club."

Benitez's work ethic has helped him begin to rebuild his reputation as one of the most astute coaches around, the Spaniard having got Chelsea's campaign back on track in recent weeks.

However, his latest comments are unlikely to aid him in his quest to win over Chelsea fans who still see him as the enemy due to his Liverpool connections.

He added ahead of Sunday's game at Goodison Park: "It is always something special when you go back to Liverpool.

"My connection with the city is very strong."

Those links continue, with Benitez's family home still on the Wirral near the city after he decided against relocating them when he joined Inter Milan or when he was appointed to the Chelsea hotseat.

He said: "When you have children, 10 and 14, they have their friends around and have been there for eight years so it is difficult to move the family and you have to do something for them.

"I have to move around on my own and then find a way to be there for Christmas dinner or whatever."

Liverpool have nosedived since sacking Benitez and are on their third manager in that time.

To compound matters, they have also been supplanted as the top team on Merseyside by Everton, who finished above them last season and ended the first half of the current campaign eight points clear of their neighbours.

However, Benitez was almost at pains to avoid discussing whether there had been a power shift in favour of David Moyes' men.

He said: "I cannot say this. What I can say is that Everton are doing well.

"I don't think it is fair for me to talk about one or the other one. I think it is fair for me to say that we are playing Everton and they are doing well.

"Moyes is doing a great job, they have good players and a good team spirit and it will be difficult for us."

Bet with SkyBet  Manager Specials. Click here to bet.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

Y

et another example of Cameron's broken Britton.

varicoseregent
Britton prepares for surgery

I

ve heard his older brother might be joining as part of the deal too... Roland.

wezmond
West Ham sign defender Rat

I

think it's time anyway. That hat must smell awful by now. Time for a change and a rinse

levi
Pulis' Stoke exit confirmed

Footer 365

TP disappointed to leave Stoke

Tony Pulis is disappointed to have left Stoke but understands the board's wish to take the club in a different direction.

Former Aston Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov to take up coaching role at the club

Aston Villa have confirmed that Stiliyan Petrov will take up a coaching role with the club.

Toon not keen on Carroll

Newcastle will not pursue their interest in re-signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll this summer.

Mail Box

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved