Javier Mascherano credits Rafa Benitez for saving his career.
Benitez signed Mascherano for Liverpool after a disappointing six-month stint with West Ham.
"He's a great man, and a diligent and excellent coach," Mascherano told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I'll always be grateful to him for having rescued me from the big black hole I was stuck in.
"At West Ham, I was hardly given any playing time. It was the first time I'd played in Europe and then Rafa came to Liverpool and took me there.
"People didn't understand it, with them already having players like Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko and Steven Gerrard in midfield.
"But Benitez said to me that none of those three had the talent that I did..."
Via FourFourTwo