Chelsea boss Benítez looking forward to return to ‘special’ Liverpool

Rafael Benítez says he is looking forward to travelling back to Liverpool for Chelsea’s clash with Everton on Sunday.

The Chelsea interim boss spent six seasons in charge at Anfield and admits that he has a special “connection” with Merseyside.

“Obviously it is something special when you go to Liverpool. My connection with the city is very strong,” he said.

“I have lived in many places, Liverpool was fantastic, and my family understand I have to move around.

“The children are in school so have to stay there but I am really pleased in Cobham also. When you have children, who have their friends around, it is difficult to move the family around.”

Benítez’s side moved to within four points of second-placed Manchester City with their 1-0 triumph at Norwich City in midweek.

And the Spaniard has been encouraged by Chelsea’s improvement in recent weeks, with the victory at Carrow Road coming days after their 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

He added: “You could see against Aston Villa we were thinking about the attack, but we have to be strong in defence and a clean sheet is also positive.

“The players have more confidence if they know they can go forward and the defence is all right. Balance is key in any top side.

“If you regain the ball you have possession and will be more dangerous. At Norwich against a good team we were controlling the game, and still trying to go forward.”