Former Barcelona and Tottenham boss Terry Venables has told Rafa Benitez to forget about trying to win the "respect" of critics.

In his column for The Sun, El Tel said of the Liverpool manager: "I was slightly alarmed by the Liverpool manager's claims this week that his team do not get the recognition or appreciation they deserve.

"Why worry what others think of you? You are never going to please all of the people all of the time. Football is about opinions. It's why we all love it so much.

"You cannot just demand of people in any walk of life: Give me respect. It just does not work like that. Respect is flattering, gratifying and honorable, but it is not the be all and end all.

"Particularly if you are a football manager. You have to accept that, no matter what you achieve in the game and how great you think you are, some people will respect you. And some won't.

"You cannot make people like you - and you cannot make people respect you. I do not understand why Rafa appears to be so hung up on this."