Ian Callaghan: 'A Rafael Benitez return would not work for Liverpool'

Liverpool legend Ian Callaghan feels that it would be a mistake for the club to re-hire Rafael Benitez.

The Spaniard returns to the club he left in 2010 for the first time when his Chelsea side visit Anfield this afternoon.

Recent reports have quoted Benitez as saying that he would like to return to manage Liverpool again at some point in his career, but Callaghan thinks that a return would not work out for either the club or the coach himself.

"A lot of Liverpool fans wanted him back [last summer]. Chelsea fans haven't taken to him," Callaghan told the Daily Mail.

"He's had a terrible reception from the Chelsea fans and I'm sure he's going to get a great welcome on Sunday.

"I feel [a return] doesn't work when you've been here once - or anywhere. I don't think it works for players either - if you've been somewhere and then gone to another club."

Callaghan is Liverpool's record appearance holder, having represented the Reds 857 times.