Rafa Benitez: Steven Gerrard is wrong to say I never liked him at Liverpool

Real Madrid manager Rafa Benitez says Steven Gerrard's claims that he never liked the former Liverpool captain when the two worked together at Anfield are just aimed at shifting more books.

 

Gerrard's quotes were revealed in Sportsmail's serialisation of his autobiography My Story.

'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.'

In his book, Gerrard wrote: '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.

 

'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.' 

 

Real face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday night, and Benitez caused more controversy by refusing to name Cristiano Ronaldo as the best player he has ever coached.