Liverpool icon Rafa Benitez’s management was horrid – he had no idea how to talk to us

Former Liverpool star Stephen Warnock has criticised Rafa Benitez's man-management skills during his time at Anfield.

The ex-Reds defender, who made his debut under the Spanish manager, has claimed that Benitez barely communicated with many of his players. One particular incident ahead of the 2005 Champions League final, when there was a mix-up over the squad announcement, left Warnock fuming.

Appearing on the Undr The Cosh podcast, he acknowledged Benitez's tactical prowess, stating: "I've said this to loads of people, [he's] tactically brilliant. Man-management? Zero. Absolutely no idea how to speak to anyone. He didn't speak to anyone. His man-management was horrendous, absolutely horrendous."

I don't want former Liverpool team-mate in my life - I find it weird when he talks about me

Liverpool notebook - FSG assessing Anfield visit as Jurgen Klopp exit plans take real shape

Warnock says the incident before the Istanbul showdown with AC Milan epitomised Benitez's poor people skills. He said (via the Mirror): "Istanbul was an absolute disgrace, how he treated me and a few of the other lads, but he didn't care.

"A squad list of 18 would go up after training, your first 11 and seven subs. You knew if you were either playing or on the bench.

"I remember running in after the last training session and thinking, 'please be in'. I looked on the squad list and my name was on it. I was like, 'f****** hell, Champions League final, I'm on the bench or playing'.

"I rang the family and told them to get the plane tickets booked. I was at home getting everything ready, then my phone goes and it's Pako Ayestaran, who was the number two at the time. He goes, 'we've make a mistake with the squad, you're not in it'. I was like 'what?'."