Former Liverpool and Everton boss Rafa Benitez has once again taken a dig at the latter.

Benitez, who was sacked by Everton last season with the club in danger of relegation, is still upset regarding his failure at the club.

He recently stated that making a great start to that particular season 'deluded the environment' of the Goodison Park stadium club.

Despite his replacement Frank Lampard guiding Everton to safety, in a recent interview with Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Benitez defended himself.

He said: “An ambitious project was proposed to me, in a city where I live happily with my family. I was confident and optimistic.

“Perhaps the excessively brilliant start of the championship deluded the environment a bit.

“With me the team has always been with a margin of at least six points from the relegation zone and with two fewer games played."

“When I left, five reinforcements arrived, and luckily Everton was saved," Benitez added.

“And today, with the additional nine signings this summer, the team is totally different from the one I coached."