Benitez wins Houllier approval

Benitez, in Portugal for crunch talks with Chelsea target Steven Gerrard, met Houllier in the less than glamorous surroundings of the Lisbon airport baggage reclaim and quickly won the approval of the man whom he has replaced at Anfield.

"I wished him good luck," said Houllier. "He's a good manager - and his English is better than I thought!"