Rafa Benitez has declared Steven Gerrard the most complete player he ever managed, placing the Liverpool legend above Cristiano Ronaldo. The former Reds boss made the statement in an excerpt from a newly released book, 'Champions League Dreams'.

Benitez, who managed Liverpool from 2004 to 2010, worked with a host of global stars including Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Samuel Eto'o, Arjen Robben, and Frank Lampard during his career. He insisted Gerrard surpassed them all for overall completeness. "He was very good doing almost everything," Benitez said. "He has also stamina; he has commitment. He’s not very vocal." The Spaniard highlighted Gerrard's leadership by example and professional conduct both on and off the pitch as defining traits. Benitez elaborated that while forwards like Ronaldo, Eto'o, and Benzema were exceptional in specific areas, Gerrard's ability to excel in multiple roles, from defence to attack, set him apart. He noted Gerrard could play as a second striker, right winger, attacking midfielder, central midfielder, and even as a holding player.

Gerrard's impact under Benitez

Gerrard was the club captain throughout Benitez's tenure and was instrumental in the club's greatest modern triumphs. He scored the goal that sparked the legendary comeback in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul and delivered a defining performance to win the FA Cup a year later. His potent partnership with Fernando Torres nearly delivered Premier League glory in the 2008/09 season, a period where Liverpool mounted a serious title challenge. The club reached four European semi-finals under Benitez, a sign of the foundation built around his captain. Benitez also pointed to Gerrard's physical and mental resilience, stating he was rarely injured and always available, which provided key consistency for the team's structure.

Context and current challenge

These reflections arrive as the modern Liverpool squad, sitting sixth in the Premier League with nine points from five games, gears up for a defining fixture. They host league leaders Manchester City at Anfield this weekend, a match that presents a significant early-season test. The team's recent form of four wins and a draw from their last five outings provides a solid platform. Fans can review the full upcoming fixtures and check the latest standings as the title race develops. The current team, under a new manager, is tasked with emulating the success and fighting spirit epitomized by the era Benitez and Gerrard defined.

Benitez's praise shows a legacy that current players are charged with upholding. The next chapter for Liverpool begins on Saturday against the reigning champions.

First reported at The Empire of The Kop