Rafa reluctant to praise Stevie

Rafa Benitez has revealed why he is often miserly in his praise for Steven Gerrard.

Rafa Benitez has revealed that he is often miserly in his praise for Steven Gerrard as he is seeking to get the best out of Liverpool's captain.

Gerrard is one of Europe's finest performers on his day and has been the inspiration for The Reds' extensive successes under their Spanish boss.

However, Benitez is often sparing in his public praise for Gerrard and played down his skipper's achievement in breaking Ian Rush's European Cup scoring record for The Reds on Tuesday against PSV Eindhoven.

Now the Liverpool boss has explained that his refusal to wax lyrical over Gerrard's input is a motivational tool to inspire the England international.

"I know that Steven sometimes wishes I would praise him more, but I like to put him under pressure, it's just the way I am," Benitez told the People.

"Of course, sometimes you have to say 'Well done, that was fantastic', but if the players can give something more then sometimes you have to push.

"I know that at times Stevie will be disappointed in that, but the best things anyone has ever said about me came from my former players when they have been talking about me eight or 10 years afterwards.

"The say, 'I learned this and that from Rafa', which is a great compliment.

"I think my way is the right way to make Steven an even better player.

"If he knows me, then he will know why I am doing it."