Rafael Benitez hailed Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard's contribution to the Reds cause as he stands poised to become only the 13th Liverpool player to reach the 500 games tally for the club when he leads the team out at Blackburn on Saturday. Benitez said: "When Stevie is on top form, Liverpool can beat anyone."
He added: "To reach 500 games for one club is remarkable. Usually good players don't stay with one club. Bigger clubs with more money tempt them away.
"He is certainly one of the very best players I have ever worked with.
"When I was at Real Madrid I worked with people like Raul and many other very good players who did very well in the first team.
"Like them, Stevie is known as a top-class player all around the world.
"He has won a lot already in his career, but if we can win even more trophies with him he will go down as one of the best players in history."
The Spaniard continued: "He is at a good age and is very professional. If we can keep him fit he can still play another 200 or more games for this club, hopefully at the same level he has shown for many years now.
"Steven is the kind of player that can make a difference in a game. We want him to keep doing that for another four years or so."
