‘I felt privileged’ - Rafa Benitez name-checks Newcastle United when offering Liverpool manager advice

Rafa Benitez believes he shared a similar relationship at Newcastle United to one he enjoys with Liverpool supporters.

After just one year on Merseyside, the Spaniard etched his name into Anfield folklore by leading a below-par Reds outfit to Champions League glory. Despite finishing fifth in the Premier League, Liverpool clawed from three goals down to beat a star-studded AC Milan side on penalties.

Not even a dismal six months at Everton almost two decades later could blemish his six-year reign in the red half of the city. Sandwiched in between those spells was a three-and-a-half year period keeping Newcastle afloat under Mike Ashley.

Two months on from his Real Madrid sacking, Benitez arrived in March 2016 looking to steer clear of relegation. A six-game unbeaten run towards the end of the campaign would not be enough - highlighting the mess under his predecessor Steve McClaren - but Newcastle secured promotion at the first time of asking the following year.

Benitez then secured two mid-table finishes despite a limited budget before finally losing patience with Ashley. The now 64-year-old, recently sacked by Celta Vigo, has offered words of wisdom to incoming Liverpool boss Arne Slot - by reflecting on his time at Newcastle.

“With honesty, hard work and success comes respect and admiration – that is the key to being accepted in the city of Liverpool,” Benitez wrote in The Telegraph. “This is not true only at Liverpool, of course. When you have coached around the world you can achieve the same connections at other clubs and in other cities. 

“During my career I have felt privileged to have a similarly good relationship with the supporters of Newcastle United, Napoli, Valencia and Extremadura. But there were some differences when becoming Liverpool’s manager because of the sheer size of the club, its history and the responsibility to consistently challenge for the biggest honours. 

“Every game you are expected to win. Then, if you are winning and playing well, there is an expectation that you will win by three goals. Liverpool have seen qualities in Arne that they like. 

“My biggest advice to him or to any manager is he must be himself while understanding the culture of the club and the city he is coming to work. Once he understands that, he has made a positive first step and he will be guided down the right path.”