Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez knows he's angering Steven Gerrard by not playing him in his favoured position.

Benitez told The Sun: "I don't play Gerrard in the position he likes the most - but in the position where he brings ME the most. And in England, they have trouble understanding that.

"In Liverpool, my tactical work consists of maintaining Steven Gerrard in my team in order to conserve the famous English spirit of Liverpool.

"Steven is a very important player for us. And sometimes I have to readjust my whole line-up in relation to him."

Benitez is adamant Javier Mascherano is the main man in the middle of the park and said: "Gerrard brings something extra and real quality because he's a great player.

"But it's not with him that you're going to stabilise the team - he does not guarantee that style of play - his is more a certain spirit and a leadership.

"He has all these natural qualities. I won't win matches with Mascherano but I know that when I play him, I have less chance of losing.

"He has great tactical discipline and a great capacity for work which allows the whole team to be balanced."