Rafa expects more from Gerrard

Last updated : 09 April 2007 By Al Campbell
The Liverpool boss has revealed why he rarely singles his captain out of praise; it's because he believes it will push Gerrard to an even higher level of play.

"I know he wishes I would say well done. But I like to put him under pressure. It's my idea. If you think the players can give something more you have to push them sometimes," said Benitez.

"I know he will be disappointed at times but the best thing anyone has ever said about me has come from my former players. They talk about me eight or 10 years afterwards. They say: 'I learned this from him'. I think my way is the right way to make Steven an even better player.

"I know he is a fantastic player and a nice person but he can do even better. I think he's more mature now. If I play him on the right, he plays well. If I play him in the middle, he plays well and if I play him on the left, he will probably play well. Whatever you ask him to do, you will get 100 per cent. If he needs to play in goal he will do it.

"And there is more to come from him. He can be an even better player. Every year you will see him learn more. My father was the same with me. I knew he was proud of me, though. My idea has always been to push myself and improve. I wanted to be a top player and it wasn't possible, so I want to be as good as I can be as a manager. You like to read good things about yourself but I'm not always worried about that. If I see the people around me happy, then I know I'm doing my job properly."