Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez refuses to rule out possibility of Liverpool return but is happy at St James' Park

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Rafa Benitez has not ruled out the possibility of a return to Liverpool as manager one day.

Stressing that he is content at Newcastle United, Benitez said he would not pursue the job at Anfield, especially now Jurgen Klopp, a friend, is in the post.

'I don't want to say that,' Benitez replied when asked directly if he wanted to go back to Anfield.

Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez hasn't ruled a return to Liverpool - one day in the future

The former Anfield boss had close bonds with Kop fans but says he's happy in the North East 

'I am happy here, I want to do well here and I wish Jurgen Klopp a lot of success.

'It is all in the future, but I don't want any "Rafa wants to go back". Nothing like that, because I am happy here and I want to do well here.'

Manager at Anfield from 2004 to 2010, the Liverpool job has come up three times since and Benitez was also asked if he had come close to getting it.

'The job?' he said. 'It is quite difficult because I have been in Italy, or Madrid, or moving around. It hasn't come at the right time.

Rafa is friends with Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp and has wished his pal 'a lot of success'

'I didn't have too many chances to go back. It is football so you never know. I am getting older but for a manager, I am still a young manager, so we'll see what happens.'

Given the close bond forged with Liverpool, the club and the city – Benitez still lives nearby – it is understandable if a return one day appeals to the 57-year-old.

'In a short period we were doing so well, so the love was there,' Benitez added, 'because we were working so hard and winning. 

'Then after, we had a charity and a great relationship with the Hillsborough families, we gave them a donation. So a lot of things with the fans, the club and the city.'

Popular on Tyneside too, Benitez is sure of a warm welcome when Newcastle host Liverpool on Sunday.

Will Rafa still be smiling on Sunday after his team take on Klopp's Liverpool at St James' Park