Benitez dreams of Liverpool return

LONDON (AFP) - Rafael Benitez has admitted he dreams of one day returning to Liverpool as manager following his departure last year.

The Spaniard had a disappointing end to his six-year reign at Anfield, with Liverpool failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish is currently acting as caretaker manager at the club, and is expected to be given the job on a permanent basis.

However Benitez, who left Inter Milan after only half a season, remains a popular figure on Merseyside and would jump at the chance to return to Anfield.

"I am really proud of being the manager of Liverpool Football Club and I would like to come back in the future," Benitez told Sky Sports News.

"You never know (when) because Kenny is doing a really good job. It's a question of time. You never know in the future.

"It would be a dream. I would be really pleased to come back in the future."

Benitez said while he would consider other jobs in England, he would never manage Liverpool's biggest rivals such as Everton and Manchester United.

"Fans in Liverpool know the teams I would not go (to) but I think these clubs wouldn't offer me a job.

"I'm a professional but obviously some clubs I would not go to, especially the big rivals of Liverpool. I won't say the names, but it's not difficult!"