Liverpool icon Phil Thompson says the players will respond to Roy Hodgson's man-management.
Thompson first met Hodgson at Euro 2000 when they were introduced by his ex-Reds boss Gerard Houllier and claims the players will warm to his personal touch.
"When I met him for the first time at Euro 2000, it was a wonderful experience," he told the Mirror. "I went to a game with him and he could not have been more friendly.
"I was only in his company for a few hours, yet by the end, I felt like I'd known him for a long time.
"He brings that personal touch to Liverpool. Gerard Houllier had that too.
"He was close to his players and took a personal interest in their lives away from the pitch.
"I know the players liked that and they responded to that degree of close attention. Rafa was the opposite of all that. He was extremely professional in his approach and was only interested in the players as players.
"I'm not criticising that approach and that was his style, but I do think the players will enjoy working with Roy.
"I know Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher have been speaking to Danny Murphy and he has been praising Roy to high heaven.
"He can't say enough good things about him and his management style.
"That could be critical for Liverpool as Roy tries to get us back in the Champions League and I've no doubts he's the right man to lead us now."
