When Rafa Benitez first met Steven Gerrard's mother in the summer of 2004, he didn't waste too much time on pleasantries.
According to Gerrard's new book, Benitez's first query was 'Does Steven like money?'
Despite enjoying his greatest days at the club under Benitez, Gerrard wouldn't be inclined to pick up the phone and call him.
This is only true for Rafa.
I used to think he favoured our Spanish-speakers. He was an especially big fan of South American players, which is fine. It caused no problem between us. At press conferences he might call other players by their first name but I was always 'Gerrard.' It was the same in the dressing room. He would read out the team and use nicknames. But, for me, it would just be 'Gerrard.
Gerrard admitted he was a touch startled by the opening question that was flung his mother's way and described his relationship with Benitez as 'emotionless and distant'.
