Friday, November 14, 2008

Rafa: I Couldn't Do It Without Sammy Lee


Liverpool are enjoying a great start to the season on all fronts and Rafa Benitez has hailed assistant manager Sammy Lee for his work.

Sammy Lee didn't make much of a manager, bumbling his way briefly in and out of the Bolton hotseat in 2007, but it's clear that he's an exceptional assistant.

The former Liverpool midfielder was highly-rated by Graeme Souness, Roy Evans and GĂ©rard Houllier during his first stint at Anfield and was a key part of Sam Allardyce's Trotters set-up.

Now, current Reds boss Rafa Benitez can't get enough of him, hailing Lee's impact since he returned to the club in May.

He Spaniard mentioned Lee's Melwood picture montage of iconic players - Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff et al. - as an example of Lee's inspirational behaviour.

Benitez told the club's official website: "This is a good message for the players - to see the legends when they are at Melwood. It can be an inspiration for them.

"Sammy has brought the spirit and mentality of the former players who know everything about the club.

"He has passion and is a very, very positive person. He's been a very good addition."

The wily gaffer want on to say that, despite the Reds' positive start - level with Chelsea, six ahead of Arsenal and eight to the good where Man Utd are concerned - no-one is about it ease up.

"The gap is not really important at this stage," he insisted. "It's better to be ahead but it's too soon for it to be important.

"I always say the same: it's a long race."

The Reds travel to the Reebock to face Lee's former club Bolton at the weekend.

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