Gerrard hails Rafa's impact

Catch Everton v Liverpool on Sky Sports 1 and HD 1

By Peter O'Rourke   Last updated: 26th September 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Gerrard hails Rafa's impact

Gerrard: Praise for Benitez

Related links

Teams

Also see

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard has paid tribute to Rafa Benitez for helping him become a better player.

Benitez has been ridiculed by critics for playing the England international out of position at times during his tenure.

Gerrard has been used all across midfield as well as playing as a second striker behind Fernando Torres last season.

The 28-year-old has never hidden his desire to play in central midfield, but he believes he is now more adept at playing in different positions.

"Since Rafa came in, my game has come on leaps and bounds," Gerrard told the club's official magazine.

"OK, he has played me in a number of different positions, but I feel a lot more comfortable now in that I can play almost anywhere on the pitch.

"I'd prefer to have a manager like Rafa, who tells me where I'm going wrong and where I need to readjust slightly.

"He's the kind of manager who doesn't let anything go. I've played for managers who perhaps won't pull you on the things you're doing wrong. That's not going to get you anywhere, is it?

Next level

"Rafa has taken my game to the next level."

Gerrard also revealed that the arrival of Torres last season made a big impact on his game and that he enjoyed playing alongside the Spaniard.

The duo struck up an impressive partnership last term contributing 54 goals between them and Gerrard is hopeful he can find the net on a regular basis this season.

"Fernando certainly helped my game a lot last season - not just in terms of my goals, but the whole team in general," added Gerrard.

"He was running riot causing all sorts of defenders problems. While they were worrying about him, I was sneaking in and nicking a few.

"I think moving further forward helped my goal tally last season, playing in just behind Torres.

"I enjoyed playing there. The manager knows if there are ever any injuries or he simply wants to stick me up there again, I can play in that role.

"I don't really set myself a goals target as such, but if you look at the way I play, as an attacking midfielder, or in behind Fernando, I'd be expecting to get 15 or so a season."