The Liverpool boss has no concerns over the return of the Champions League-winning manager with his Chelsea side, despite the Spaniard admitting he wants to coach the Reds again

Brendan Rodgers insists that he has no qualms about Rafa Benitez’s return to Anfield, with the Liverpool boss confirming he has the full support of his club’s board and owners.

The Chelsea interim manager will be back at Anfield for the first time since his departure in 2010, having spent six years as Liverpool boss during which time he won the Champions League and FA Cup.

However, current Reds manager Rodgers believes that the reception Benitez will get is customary for any former manager or player at the club, despite the Spaniard admitting in the week that he would be open to an Anfield return.

“Rafael Benitez is a fantastic manager, no question about that,” Rodgers told reporters.

“But I had the confidence from the owners and the board, when I came in here, that this was a process that was going to take time.

“I only came here on the ­understanding that it was going to take that little bit of time. It wasn’t going to be instant. And the owners have never wavered from that.

“Rafael Benitez will deserve a great welcome when he comes back. He had a real good time here and he won the Champions League and the FA Cup during his six years.

“It won’t be strange for me. This is a club where the supporters are very respectful when former players and managers return.

“They still sing Kenny Dalglish’s name – and rightly so – because he is a legend here as a player and a manager.

“They sing about other players and I’m sure Rafael Benitez will get a great reception.”