Significantly, Benítez might now have been enjoying a more enviable lifestyle in one of Madrid's most sought after addresses, sipping Rioja while mulling over whether to give David Beckham a game for Real.
Indeed Rick Parry, Liverpool's chief executive, yesterday reiterated that Benítez had received an offer to fill last summer's managerial vacancy at the Bernabeu. "Rafa clearly had to consider the approach from Real Madrid," Parry told Radio Five Live. "In his position it would both appeal to the heart and the head; it would be very, very tempting."
So tempting, in fact, that Liverpool's board spent an entire day persuading the Spaniard to stay. "We sat down for a day, we re-affirmed our commitment to making progress and continuing to invest in the team," said Parry who told Benítez that the club was likely to shortly change hands. "Of course, we believe it [the take-over] will be a major factor in reinforcing his view that he made the right decision last summer."
Unlike his predecessor Gérard Houllier, Benítez does not always appear the warmest of men. Yet his sometimes diffident demeanour should never be confused with indifference and it was instructive that Liverpool's manager spent part of last week extolling the virtues of Real Madrid's global marketing operation to Gillett and Hicks.
If Benítez's willingness to put down roots on the Wirral was inspired by faith in his directors, it seems the promise of silverware prompted David Moores, Liverpool's out-going chairman, to hand the Anfield keys to American owners rather than Dubai's Maktoum family.
"They [Gillett and Hicks] talked about winning trophies," said Parry. "The debate wasn't really about money. It was about passion, excitement and trophies."
Nevertheless, Parry stressed that relations with DIC, who fronted the Maktoum bid, had ended on a civilised note. "We have enormous respect for DIC," he said. DIC have discounted a bid for Newcastle United but the advent of direct flights daily from Tyneside to Dubai could yet provoke alternative interest from the Arabian gulf.
Gillett and Hicks, meanwhile, will refrain from schmaltzy posturing as adopted Scousers. "They've been very honest, they don't pretend to be lifelong fans," said Parry. "They're not about to come in and change things for the sake of change. Our supporters will not let them. The new owners will quickly get the message if overstep the mark."
Accordingly, Parry suggested ticket pricing was likely to remain "affordable" at Liverpool's new ground and also allayed fears that the club's, arguably, under-achieving academy may be sacrificed.
"We have invested as much, if not more, than just about any other club in our academy and will continue to develop young English players," he insisted. "We're still very, very committed to it." Ditto Benítez to Liverpool.