Steven Gerrard has praised Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez's "winning mentality" and man-management which the England international insists makes playing for the side "a pleasure".
Gerrard and Benitez have not always enjoyed the smoothest of relationships, the Liverpool captain revealing in his autobiography that he longed for "a 'well done' off Rafa" amid reports of disputes over where and how the former Valencia coach was deploying the talismanic midfielder.
But relations have since improved markedly, Benitez suggesting his captain has matured as a player and as a person and the 28-year-old reciprocating by extolling the virtues of all aspects of his manager's regime, including his controversial rotation policy.
Gerrard said: "There are no stars in this team, or anyone with airs or graces. We are one unit, we work hard for each other and we all pull in the same direction. We've got some world class players and have turned in some fantastic attacking displays and some really solid, defensive performances. For that, I must pay tribute to the manager.
"Keeping the lads on the bench and those have missed out on the squad in the frame of mind to make a significant contribution is a difficult task, but Rafa's been able to do that."
Gerrard and Benitez have not always enjoyed the smoothest of relationships, the Liverpool captain revealing in his autobiography that he longed for "a 'well done' off Rafa" amid reports of disputes over where and how the former Valencia coach was deploying the talismanic midfielder.
But relations have since improved markedly, Benitez suggesting his captain has matured as a player and as a person and the 28-year-old reciprocating by extolling the virtues of all aspects of his manager's regime, including his controversial rotation policy.
Gerrard said: "There are no stars in this team, or anyone with airs or graces. We are one unit, we work hard for each other and we all pull in the same direction. We've got some world class players and have turned in some fantastic attacking displays and some really solid, defensive performances. For that, I must pay tribute to the manager.
"Keeping the lads on the bench and those have missed out on the squad in the frame of mind to make a significant contribution is a difficult task, but Rafa's been able to do that."
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