"Fantastic player" - Rafa Benitez names Liverpool legend as greatest player he has ever coached

Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has stated that Steven Gerrard is the best player he has ever coached.

Benitez has enjoyed a long career that has spanned over 29 years, including stints at Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Napoli and Chelsea.

However, possibly his most successful spell at a club came at Anfield between 2004 and 2010, where he led the Reds to Champions League glory in 2005.

Perhaps it is partly due to this success on Merseyside that the Spaniard rates Steven Gerrard so highly

Speaking to Football Daily, Benitez was asked for advice for young managers such as Gerrard and Frank Lampard, and responded:

“I know Lampard but I know much better Gerrard. I was six years with him and he was the best player that I ever coached.

“I say that because people were asking me that. He was a great, great player, a fantastic player and he’s a young manager now.

“So, he will need some time, he will need to make some mistakes and do it right like he did in Scotland. He’s someone who has a great future and what I would say to them is just listen, that’s it. Listen to everyone and try to learn from anyone.”

Gerrard has been praised as one of the Premier League’s all time greats on numerous occasions and he did indeed enjoy a highly successful playing career.

The Englishman played 710 games for Liverpool, scoring 185 goals and led the North West Club to a Champions League triumph, as well as three League Cups and two FA Cups.

The 42-year-old also enjoyed a lengthy England career, managing 114 caps for the national team, scoring 21 times.

Now, after a successful spell as Rangers boss where he led the Scottish club to the SPL title, Gerrard finds himself struggling as Aston Villa manager.

The Villains are currently 15th in the league after seven games, having accumulated just seven points thus far.