get in the middle of. I was always wary of how Houllier used Chris Bascombe at the Liverpool Echo, and in fairness to Rafa, he never tried to sway my opinions.

That is not to say that he didn’t make observations. He noted how, after the Aston Villa game, he’d had ‘problems’ with Carragher and Gerrard but he immediately added that he’d sat down with both and had productive conversations.

Mostly, when talking of players, he spoke of his charges’ strengths and weaknesses but only stuff he’d have already made them aware of. The only player he expressed dissatisfaction with back in October was Albert Riera, whom he felt had let his Spain call-ups go to his head.

Subsequent developments bore this out.

But more than anything, Benitez was keen to pass on tactical insights: the deployment of subtly different midfield formations and roles, etc, in different games – when to the untrained eye it looked like the Reds were playing the same system – specific jobs at set-pieces, the united movements of the back four and so on.

But more than anything, Benitez was keen to pass on tactical insights: the deployment of subtly different midfield formations and roles, etc, in different games – when to the untrained eye it looked like the Reds were playing the same system – specific jobs at set-pieces, the united movements of the back four and so on.

Having said that, at times he did express frustration with how the club was being run (such as when Martin Broughton had been in charge for a week but not been in touch. ‘After one week, the new chairman has not contacted with the manager, in a football club is not normal’ said Rafa, via his personal email account).

Having said that, at times he did express frustration with how the club was being run (such as when Martin Broughton had been in charge for a week but not been in touch. ‘After one week, the new chairman has not contacted with the manager, in a football club is not normal’ said Rafa, via his personal email account).

I got the impression he saw the writing on the wall back then.

I got the impression he saw the writing on the wall back then.

A lot of the stuff we spoke about in

A lot of the stuff we spoke about in October was along the lines of what he ended up telling The Times’ Tony Evans a few weeks later.

The problem I had (due to the fact that I’m not a trained journalist) was being unsure of what was confidential and off the record, and not wanting to cause any problems for Rafa – and his ability to get the best results – by divulging anything he’d said that he’d preferred remain private.

In the end, Evans spilled many of those beans, such as transfer targets that got away.

Indeed, even though it was a couple of years on, Rafa was still angry that young players like Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey and Alexandre Pato had all been approached well before they ended up moving to other big clubs, and

BENITEZ

that the two British teenagers had even been in his office for transfer talks.

But much to Benitez’s chagrin, Rick Parry felt there were better players already at the Academy, and refused to sanction a bid of just £1.5million for Ramsey.

A manager is judged on his transfer record, but time and time again Benitez wanted a top player (Simao Sabrosa, Danny Alves), but had to make do with a cheap alternative (Pennant, Arbeloa).

Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t. One signing that remains controversial is the acquisition of Alberto Aquilani. In early March, Rafa explained his thinking on the Italian:

“Aquilani wants to improve, but now it is difficult to give him games. Really it depends on him, he has vision for the pass and is dynamic, but still has to adapt to the pace in England, we will see in the next months.” And in the coming months, we did indeed get to see some of that vision and dynamism, but also that the stamina wasn’t yet what was required.

And so, in the main, Rafa did what he’s known for – talking football, obsessively. For me, all the books sales and positive feedback I’ve had since 2005 pales compared to a double La Liga and European Cupwinning manager telling me that he respects my work, and that I have a good understanding of the game and, in particular, his methods.

After all, that was what I saw my role to be: to try and explain the methods of an overseas manager whose English is not perfect, and whose approach to the game is often at odds with the old-fashioned ex-pros in the media. This sums up Benitez’s attitude to my work, and how I will continue to approach writing about Liverpool FC: “For me it is important that you defend your manager, not Rafa Benítez.”

Finally, in the past year I’ve spoken to a lot of people who know Rafa and his family on a personal level.

They all speak very highly of the Benítezes, and of their great work in the community. These were not casual interlopers, but people who threw themselves into the local culture.

Perhaps Rafa is not the easiest man to work for – his standards are exacting, and probably draining – but then again, plenty of the Valencia players thought Rafa’s successors were more warm and welcoming – unfortunately, none have yet been anywhere near as successful.

Nunca Caminarás Solo, Rafa. Paul Tomkins is the author of eight LFC books and runs the website: tomkinstimes.com

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