Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has laughed off the notion he prefers to run a team with hard-working players rather than superstar footballers.

He said: "Since when was it impossible for a great footballer to listen to his coach? Of course I like great players and I can work with them!

"And what about my Valencia team where I had half-a-dozen internationals?

"I want the best players with me and I want them to be hungry for work and to look after themselves.

"To always do what's good for them and for the team.

"Stars can be complicated, I know. But stars do not automatically bring conflict, that's not so.

"Perhaps if you have three of them you can experience problems."