Reds to get belated gongs

The Reds were overlooked in the New Years Honours List but that oversight is likely to be corrected in June when Rafael Benitez could be awarded an honourary OBE and Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher could receive MBEs.

A source close to the Honours process said: "The Merseysiders' omission was 'more a cock-up than a conspiracy.'

"There are two honours lists a year and it is expected Liverpool will receive due recognition in the next one."