All Rafa Benitez 45 signings for Liverpool ranked!
By David Gate
Number 45: Milan Jovanovic
Milan Jovanovic was the final signing for Rafael Benitez at Liverpool and probably the worst. It’s probably a good thing he was a free transfer from Belgian side Standard Liège.
The Serbian only lasted one season at Anfield, and failed to score a single goal in league play. He did however score in his only League Cup appearance, a loss to Northampton that went to penalties.
Jovanovic’s only other goal came in the second leg of Liverpool’s Europa League group stage tie against Romanian club Steaua București. The game would end in a 1-1 draw and help Liverpool advance on to the knockout stages.
Jovanovic’s time at Anfield was short-lived. He only made 18 appearances for the club, with 10 coming in league play.
On August 4, 2011, Milan Jovanovic returned to Belgium to sign with Anderlecht. And thus, the final player Rafael Benitez signed had departed Liverpool almost as quickly as he had arrived. @UnofficialAB
Number 44: Daniel Ayala
The Spaniard was a youth player at Sevilla who rejected a professional contract with his them to sign one at Anfield in 2007. The center back played a couple of seasons in Liverpool’s Under 18 side before making his way to the first team in 2009. He appeared five times for Reds in Benitez’ last season as the club.
After Rafa left he lost his main advocate. Neither Roy Hodgson or Kenny Dalglish appreciated the youngster and sent him out on loan. He made a permanent move to Norwich in 2011 but only made seven appearances as the Canaries were relegated.
Ayala made his way back to the Premier League by being a key part of the Middlesbrough first team that were promoted from the Championship in 2016. He lost his place during the course of that season and is now a squad player at Boro as they are back in the Championship. @davidgatesports