Rafael Benitez may have been sacked by Premier League club Everton, but the Merseyside red half still remember him fondly. Liverpool fans were seen chanting his name during the Premier League game against Brentford on Sunday after news of his sacking became public knowledge. Benitez managed Liverpool for 7 seasons from 2004-2010 and took them to the UEFA Champions League title in 2004-05.

Benitez was sacked as Everton manager on Sunday after just 200 days in charge of the struggling Premier League club. Benitez was an unpopular fixture in June last year after his long stint with Everton’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool. The Spaniard paid the price for a sad nine-game losing streak in Everton’s last 13 league games, culminating in a 2-1 defeat at Norwich on Saturday.

Here are some videos posted on Twitter of Liverpool fans chanting Rafa Benitez’s name:

Liverpool fans chant Rafa Benitez’s name after Everton’s sacking news pic.twitter.com/7EkmRIJGll

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) January 16, 2022

Liverpool fans chant the name of Rafa Benitez pic.twitter.com/lV8LBubeLQ

— Football Chants (@FootyFansChants) May 24, 2015

“Everton Football Club can confirm the departure of Rafael Benitez as first-team manager,” read a club statement. “Benitez, who joined Everton in June 2021, has left the club with immediate effect. An update on a permanent replacement will be given in due course,” he added.

Former Everton striker Wayne Rooney, currently impressing as second-tier Derby manager, is the bookmakers’ favorite to replace Benitez.

Rooney is a childhood Everton fan who had two spells at the club as a player either side of his successful spell at Manchester United.

He kept Derby competitive in the Championship despite a pair of point deductions and the club’s descent into administration.

Rooney’s former Everton team-mate Frank Lampard, sacked by Chelsea last year, is another candidate for the job.

Brighton boss Graham Potter and Paulo Fonseca, whose last job was with Roma, could also be in the running.

Under Benitez, Everton have picked up just 19 points from 19 league appearances, their lowest midterm tally for a season since 2005-06.

Everton fans had made clear their desire for Benitez to be knocked out in the soft defeat at Norwich.

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They chanted his dismissal and held up a banner reading ‘Benitez, get out of our club’, while a supporter invaded the pitch in an attempt to confront the former Real Madrid manager.

(With AFP inputs)