Former Liverpool coach Pako Ayestaran has spoken of working with Rafa Benitez at Anfield.

Benitez was the strict tactician and disciplinarian while Ayestaran was the link to the dressing room and there is still the belief that Rafa's reign went wrong after he lost his No2.

“It was tough leaving Liverpool. Since I was a teenager, I was in love with English football and Liverpool. Sometimes we forget we are living the dream. You have to get used to the dream, realise it's not a dream anymore and enjoy it," he told the Mirror.

“It's true that after 12 years we (Rafa) had to take a different way. You shouldn't regret your decisions, you have to take a decision at that time, different circumstances. It was the one that I should have taken and I cannot look back.

“I remember when we were at Valencia, Liverpool approached us and Rafa came to me. We had been to Liverpool to watch a game and when the approach came we had to go. Something that had always been a dream came true.

“It was Xabi Alonso who gave an interview in Marca, he said that he fell in love with the Premier League, not just the league, but also the supporters, how the clubs are run, the passion about the game and I have always had the same feeling.

“We went to Liverpool and I remember this guy came up to me and he said: 'thank you for coming.' That is typical of the Liverpool fan. They made you feel part of the club as soon as you arrive, it's like a family."