RAFA BENITEZ admitted his 2005 Champions League winning Liverpool side are no match for Jurgen Klopp’s current squad.
The Spaniard achieved European success in his first season at Anfield, with Steven Gerrard spearheading a famous comeback from 3-0 down against AC Milan to win the game on penalties.
Despite lifting the FA Cup the following season, Benitez told The Athletic Klopp’s Champions League winning side of last season have more “quality” on the pitch compared to his 2005 team.
He said: “I’m really proud of what we achieved in 2005, but I have to say that the 2019 team is stronger already.
“The team that we had, what we had at this time was great team effort and a lot of character, as well as commitment on the pitch.
“This team have the intensity and the quality that can make the difference in games.”
Having managed both Liverpool and Chelsea to European success, Benitez also won the Championship with Newcastle.
The ex-Valencia boss celebrated winning the Championship at St James Park in 2017 before keeping the Toon side up for two seasons.
However, this summer the 59-year-old stormed out of Newcastle and joined the Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
Despite settling into life in Asia with five wins, two draws and three losses, Benitez wants to one day return to England’s top flight.
He said: “I like to enjoy the challenge I have now in China.
“I am always committed whenever I accept a challenge, but I will not hide my feelings that in the future I would like to come back to the Premier League.”
