Sky Sports: Former LFC fan favourite close to joining close rivals as talks enter advanced stages

According to Sky Sports, former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is set to become Everton manager as talks enter advanced stages.

Carlo Ancelotti left the Blues for Real Madrid and his replacement looks to be none other than former Liverpool boss Benitez, with Sky Sports reporting he: "is close to taking over as Everton manager following positive talks with the club's board."

Reds will forever remember the Spaniard guiding Liverpool to the most unlikely European comeback as they came back from a halftime deficit of 3-0 against the legendary AC Milan side to win the 2005 Champions League final on penalties.

Steven Gerrard a huge role but many Liverpool fans believe that Rafa made a deal with the devil to help Liverpool do the unthinkable. Since leaving Anfield in 2010, he has gone on to manage Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Dalian Yifang.

I've wondered in the past what the Spaniard would have been able to do with owners like Fenway Sports Group. Much like Jurgen Klopp, the 61-year-old is able to do a wonderful job without massive investment.

He proved this at Newcastle United where he received virtually zero financial backing and while FSG aren't exactly owners that break the bank, they have hired world-class staff behind the scenes.

Michael Edwards and his team have done a sensational job of identifying players Klopp can turn into world-class players.

Benitez has a very pragmatic approach to football as Liverpool fans will remember but as Jose Mourinho showed, it can prove very successful when the manager is given the tools necessary but when not backed properly, it can go terribly wrong as well.

I wouldn't swap Jurgen Klopp for Benitez, however, as the German has brought silverware back to Anfield while implementing an entertaining style of play and along with Pep Guardiola, he has shown that attacking football is far more sustainable.

While I don't wish Benitez great success at Goodison Park, I am looking forward to the next Merseyside Derby which will take place on November 30th.