Benitez: Sterling was my greatest bargain buy at Liverpool

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has come up with an intriguing choice for his best bargain transfer signing from his time at Anfield.

The Spaniard, who guided the Reds to both the Champions League and FA Cup, was in charge for six seasons between 2004-10.

While in charge at Liverpool , Benitez made his fair share of financially-astute purchases.

Home-grown hero Robbie Fowler was brought back to the club on a free transfer while Maxi Rodriguez, who also had an eye for a goal, was another acquisition who came without a fee.

Relatively modest outlays also secured the likes of Luis Garcia and Pepe Reina, £6million apiece while £5milion got Lucas who would go on to service the club for a decade.

However, Benitez, who is now in charge of Chinese side Dalian Yifang after subsequent stints in the Premier League at Chelsea and Newcastle United, has picked Raheem Sterling, signed from Queens Park Rangers' Academy as a 15-year-old in February 2010, just four months before his own Reds departure as his greatest bargain buy.

Sterling was subsequently sold to Manchester City for £49million in July 2015 and speaking to The Times , Benitez said: "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.”