The Spaniard won the Champions League during his time at Anfield.
Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez and Steven Gerrard celebrate winning the Champions League with the Trophy
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has told the Liverpool Echo that Rafa Benitez was the best manager he worked under during his time at the club.
The midfielder, who currently plays with La Galaxy in the MLS, worked under several managers at Anfield after spending the vast majority of his playing career with the club.
It was under Benitez that he secured his greatest triumph though as they won the 2005 Champions League, coming back from 3-0 down in the epic final against AC Milan.
Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez arrive with the Champions League trophy
And Gerrard says that the Spaniard was easily the best manager he worked under, labelling his former boss as incredible.
“Rafa Benítez. Tactically the best,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“Just in general, setting a team up to play, to deliver the Champions League with the team that we won it with was a miracle and Rafa was a big part of that. He was incredible.”
Steven Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez – Liverpool celebrate winning the FA Cup while holding the trophy
It would be interesting to see if Liverpool fans share a similarly high opinion of their former manager as Gerrard does.
There is no denying that Champions League success was an incredible achievement, while the season they ran Manchester United close for the title should not be forgotten either.
He was held in high esteem at Anfield, but his reputation was soured towards the end of his reign and whether fans feel the same as Gerrard does would be intriguing to discover.
Steven Gerrard with former manager Rafa Benitez
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