Rafa Benitez: Real Madrid can be Unbeatable In March

Despite the fact that his side is out of the Champions League, Liverpool's Rafa Benitez has weighed in on Real Madrid's chances of lifting the European championship at the end-of-season final at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"Speaking of Real Madrid now would be wrong", began the Spaniard in an interview with Italian daily La Gazzetta dello Sport. The Liverpool coach went on to say that Los Blancos' "champions" need time to gel and play as a team, but that "in March they could be unbeatable".

The Liverpool coach also spoke of Barcelona, who he believes to currently be Europe's best and Barca coach Pep Guardiola has a player that Benitez "simply adores" in Lionel Messi.

Liverpool failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League and will dispute the Europa League for their chance at international silverware. They have been drawn against Unirea Urziceni in their first tie in Europe's secondary competition.

Is Rafa Benitez coming to Real Madrid?

Real Madrid are lining up Rafa Benitez as their next manager after giving Manuel Pellegrini two games to save his job.

The Spanish giants have won just one of their last five games and suffered the humiliation of a 4-0 defeat by third division Alcorcon in the Cup on Tuesday night.

Madrid considered sacking Pellegrini straight after the latest debacle, but will give him a chance to turn things around against Getafe on Saturday and at AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The decision gives Madrid time to probe possible successors and Liverpool boss Benitez is said to be on the short list.

A host of out-of-work coaches are also being considered, but Madrid want to know if Benitez's commitment to Liverpool has been shaken by the ongoing boardroom dispute between the club's American owners.