Benitez defends Liverpool reign

FORMER Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez rubbed salt in yesterday’s pain by defending his Anfield legacy.

“I was very clear that when I left we had a better squad than we had in the past, and a better team. We knew we had to bring in better players.

“We left a good team, a very good team. When I left the club, (Javier) Mascherano, (Yossi) Benayoun and (Albert) Riera were there, along with Carra (Jamie Carragher), (Steven) Gerrard, (Jay) Spearing, (Stephen) Darby, (Emiliano) Insua, (Diego) Cavalieri and (Jonjo) Shelvey.