Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has heaped praise on midfielder Steven Gerrard as he prepared to make his 450th appearance for the club.
This weekend also marks Gerrard’s fifth anniversary since being made the Anfield club’s permanent captain and comes after an excellent international performance against Belarus on Wednesday.
Benitez said the performance reminded fans just how good Gerrard is and felt it highlighted the midfielder’s ability to play in different positions.
"Steven is a very good player, regardless of the position he is used in. Now he is not only playing well for us but also his country,” Benitez told the Daily Mirror.
"That is good news for England and good news for us. He has been played in different roles in the past, maybe he will do that in the future,” added the Spaniard.
"But he can manage with things like this. Fabio Capello has the same ideas as me as we both know Steven can do well in different positions.
"Maybe it is as a central midfielder, or elsewhere, but we both know he will do it and do it well.”
The former Valencia boss continued: "We have been talking about Gerrard's best position for three years. But everyone knows he is a good player, where he plays does not matter.
"He can now clearly have a free role. That depends on team-mates around him, and maybe if he has freedom there has to be someone doing more defensive duties.”
"That can be good. But the key is that he is playing well for us and England as well," added Benitez.
This weekend also marks Gerrard’s fifth anniversary since being made the Anfield club’s permanent captain and comes after an excellent international performance against Belarus on Wednesday.
Benitez said the performance reminded fans just how good Gerrard is and felt it highlighted the midfielder’s ability to play in different positions.
"Steven is a very good player, regardless of the position he is used in. Now he is not only playing well for us but also his country,” Benitez told the Daily Mirror.
"That is good news for England and good news for us. He has been played in different roles in the past, maybe he will do that in the future,” added the Spaniard.
"But he can manage with things like this. Fabio Capello has the same ideas as me as we both know Steven can do well in different positions.
"Maybe it is as a central midfielder, or elsewhere, but we both know he will do it and do it well.”
The former Valencia boss continued: "We have been talking about Gerrard's best position for three years. But everyone knows he is a good player, where he plays does not matter.
"He can now clearly have a free role. That depends on team-mates around him, and maybe if he has freedom there has to be someone doing more defensive duties.”
"That can be good. But the key is that he is playing well for us and England as well," added Benitez.
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