Rafa Benitez is unimpressed with talk that Liverpool’s victory over Barcelona was their greatest comeback in Europe, and insists that winning the Champions League final against AC Milan in 2005 was a far more impressive result.

Benitez smiled as he defended his biggest success as Liverpool manager, but he is also convinced he is right, arguing that Liverpool were at home against Barcelona when they won 4-0 and his own team were losing 3-0 with only 45 minutes left to play in the final in Istanbul.

The Spaniard still has sharp edges, and although he was full of praise for Jurgen Klopp’s team, he could not resist pointing out the fact he actually won a final and a trophy when he was in charge at Anfield, with considerably less money to spend.

“My comeback was better, it is very clear,” said Benitez. “There has been a poll [on Sky Sports]. Come on, no chance the Barcelona one was better.

“You have 45 minutes, 3-0 against AC Milan, the best team, miles away from anyone, the fans singing at half-time, the Milan fans so happy, and then you go and you score three goals in six minutes and Dudek's save, and then you go to extra time, you go to the penalties.