After spells managing on either side of Stanley Park, Rafael Benitez insists “I can’t say I’m more Liverpool or Everton today” but he does not think a subsequent spell at Goodison Park tarnished his reputation at Anfield.
Liverpool host Everton tonight in the 242nd Merseyside Derby and writing the foreword for Peter Kenny Jones’ forthcoming book Crossing the Park: The Men Who Dared to Play for Both Liverpool and Everton, the Spaniard said: “When I first arrived at Anfield I was surprised by the people, they were very friendly, they tried to help with adapting to the new place from day one. Then at Everton, there were a lot of friendly people, but the difference was that some looked at you differently, they couldn’t forget the past with Liverpool.
“I feel at home in Merseyside, my family is completely at home here and that is important. The Liverpool fans are still kind and close today, many of the Everton fans know what actually happened and are, let’s say, friendly.
