Rafa: Any dispute with Roy is ‘water under the bridge’ now

RAFA Benitez insists it is “all water under the bridge” between Roy Hodgson and himself – despite the two former Liverpool managers having exchanged words in the past.

Newcastle United boss Benitez welcomes Hodgson and his Crystal Palace side, bottom of the Premier League table but fresh from a victory over defending champions Chelsea, to St James’ Park this afternoon.

In 2010, Benitez accused then-Reds boss Hodgson of being unable “to see a priest on a mountain of sugar,” purportedly referring to ex-Liverpool managing director Christian Purslow, in response to Hodgson questioning his successor at Anfield’s decision to spend £20million on Alberto Aquilani.

But Benitez insists he has met face to face with Hodgson subsequently, and would happily welcome him into his office for a post-game drink.

“I had a good relationship with him when he was at Fulham,” Benitez said. “When I left they (Liverpool) appointed him and it was not going really well.

“I told him one day when I saw him: ‘You have to talk with me, I can explain to you what’s going on.’

“It’s all water under the bridge and I’ve talked with him face to face one day after all these things.

“I didn’t give him advice because he has enough experience, they were telling him that’s wrong, this is wrong, and he was talking, so I said: ‘Why are you not talking to me, because the other one is a director and he didn’t have any clue about football?’”