Rafael Benítez: Steven Gerrard was right to snub a Chelsea move

Ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez says Steven Gerrard made the correct decision in refusing the offer to join Chelsea, while opting to stay at Liverpool.

It was widely speculated the England international was on the threshold of sealing a big-money transfer to Stamford Bridge following Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2005.

But the midfielder changed his mind in the last minute, deciding to stay at the Merseyside, who were coached by Benítez at the time.

Rafael Benitez, now the Chelsea interim boss, told the Daily Mail ahead of the Blues’ match at Anfield on Sunday: “He won the Champions League and he is a legend in Liverpool, I think he will say he made the right decision at the time.”

Benítez, who was in charge at Liverpool for six and half years, between 2004 and 2010, added: “Gerrard is one of the greatest England players we have seen.”

“He was good when we arrived at Liverpool but he got better with the experience of playing massive games in the Champions League. We had maybe the best years of Stevie.”