Rafa: No Liverpool approach surprising

By ESPN Staff

Ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has revealed he was surprised that his old club failed to approach him after the sacking of Kenny Dalglish in the summer.

GettyImagesRafael Benitez: No approach from his former club

Dalglish received his marching orders in May before Brendan Rodgers was eventually given the nod by the club's American owners, after the likes of Fabio Capello and Roberto Martinez reportedly snubbed offers.
Benitez, 53, who led the Merseyside club to a both the Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as a further Champions League final, believes after his previous success an approach was the least he was owed.
"It was strange not to be approached," he told the Irish Independent. "We know the club, the players, the Academy and we have even more experience now...the fans were positive about the idea."
The former Inter manager left Anfield by mutual consent in 2010 after a frustrating season saw his side finish seventh.
However, despite the disappointing end to his spell at the club, Benitez is quick to highlight how significant his achievements were.
"We used to play so many important games that it seemed it was normal and it wasn't," he added. "People were talking about 'the past', but just a few years ago Liverpool FC was number one in Europe."
Liverpool have had a poor start to the new season with Rodgers's men having only picked up one point from their first three games.