Rafa Benitez refutes claim of former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard

Rafa Benitez has rejected Steven Gerrard’s claim that he never liked the former Liverpool captain during his time as manager at Anfield. 

Benitez, now in charge of Real Madrid, replaced Gerard Houllier in the Liverpool dugout in 2004 and led the club to Champions League and FA Cup success, with Gerrard as his captain. 

The 35-year-old remained the club's skipper during Benitez's six year spell on Merseyside, despite Gerrard's belief that the Spaniard did not like him.

Benitez has refuted such a suggestion and feels the mention of the pair's relationship is a ploy to increase sales of his new autobiography. 

"I have read the quotes and I believe he is wrong," Benitez told Spanish television.

"Out of the respect that I have for Stevie and for the value and appreciation I have for him, and for Liverpool and the supporters, I think it's best to just let it pass.

"He has brought out a book and now I'm the Real Madrid manager, that sells."

Gerrard, who left Liverpool at the end of last season to join LA Galaxy, discussed his relationship with Benitez in his new autobiography, My Story, which is currently being serialised in the Daily Mail.

"I don't think Rafa Benitez liked me as a person. I'm not sure why, but that's the feeling I got from him. It probably started even before he spoke to me, when he met my mum," Gerrard wrote. 

"Rafa was appointed as Liverpool's manager in June 2004 - and I was playing for England in the Euros in Portugal that summer.

"Even though he was being replaced by Rafa, Gerard Houllier still loved Liverpool and he remained very close to me. He and my mum flew out to Portugal to watch me play for England against Croatia - and they bumped into Rafa. 

"Gerard introduced Rafa to my mum. Rafa shook her hand, said hello and then immediately asked her a very blunt question: 'Does Steven like money?'

"Apart from a standard "Hello... good to meet you" introduction, those were the first words Rafa said to my mum. I thought: 'What kind of question is that?'

"I can pick up the phone and speak to all of my previous Liverpool managers. Except for Rafa."