Chelsea boss Rafa Benitez refuses to hide his connection to former club Liverpool and the city ahead of this weekend's clash.

Benitez did not plan to fall in love with Liverpool when he arrived in 2004 but it happened quickly, helped by winning the European Cup in his first season.

"The people are good people," Benitez told the Daily Mail.

"They are workers, they are fighters and they are loyal. When you have this relationship and you are there every day and you know more and more people, it is even better.

"We came from Spain into a different environment and everyone was really nice. There was a great atmosphere at every game and we were doing well. We finished fifth in the league but everything was going well in the other competitions and everybody was enjoying themselves.

"For the first time in 21 years we won the Champions League, which was massive. Then the year after it was the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Super Cup. There were so many trophies and another Champions League final. Liverpool needed to bring back the pride of the fans and that was the situation."