A report in the Sunday Express this morning has sensationally claimed that Rafa Benitez failed to persuade David Beckham to return to the Premier League with Liverpool.

Beckham is widely expected to join AC Milan for the second half of the Serie A season in his bid to secure a place in Fabio Capello’s England squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

A number of Premier League clubs were linked with potential moves for Beckham but he has often stated in the past that he could only ever play for one team in England.

A move to Anfield would have been one of the more surprising moves of the season as Beckham came through the ranks at Manchester United and enjoyed over ten years of success at Old Trafford – the home of Liverpool’s great rivals.

Last week, after he was named man of the match in England’s win over Belarus, Beckham said on the move to the San Siro: "It's very close - it's 95% done, I don't see why it isn't going to happen. I always wanted to go back."

In the MLS in 2009, Beckham has played nine games this season, scoring twice and providing three assists. The 34-year-old former England captain has also picked up one red card.