Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is full of praise for his coaching staff as he has recovered from a kidney stone operation.

"Clearly Sammy (Lee) and the backroom team deserve a lot of credit because they have been working very hard and very well," Lee told liverpoolfc.tv. "Sometimes just working hard isn't enough - they have been doing both things.

"The players have also done very well. The staff know what to do, the players know what to do and so that's very positive because it shows we are organised as a club.

"The results over Christmas were very good. Watching the game at Arsenal from home wasn't easy, but in the end it was a pity we didn't win because the performance of the players was good.

"Then watching the Bolton and Newcastle games from the stands was a bit easier because I was able to go to the dressing room at half time to speak with the players. It's not the same as being in the dug-out though because you can't directly control things.

"I don't think I'll be back in the dug-out at Preston though. I'm getting better but I think I'll leave it to Sammy to do the job again."