Rafa Benitez believes that Raheem Sterling was the biggest bargain purchase made by Liverpool.

The former Liverpool manager was asked about the transfer that was the biggest bargain from a financial perspective during his time in charge.

Many would have expected a different answer, considering the likes of Pepe Reina and Luis Garcia were modest purchases.

But Benitez named Sterling, who arrived from QPR as a 15-year-old in February 2010.

He told The Times: "I credit my scouts and [former Liverpool academy director] Frank McParland. They convinced me to sign the boy.

"I gave him a tour around the training ground.

"Fernando Torres was there, Sterling's mother was there.

"You could see someone who loved football, who was excited."