Brendan Rodgers: 'Rafael Benitez welcome at Anfield'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted that Rafael Benitez will be given an "excellent reception" when he returns to Anfield with Chelsea on Sunday.

The Spaniard will be back on Merseyside for the first time since 2010, when his six-year spell in charge of the Reds came to an end.

"It won't be strange in any way at all," Rodgers is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"There is absolutely no question Rafael Benitez will get an excellent reception because of the great work he did here.

"The football club as a whole always respect former players and managers."

Benitez won the Champions League, the FA Cup and the Super Cup during his time at Liverpool.