Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is set for surgery on Wednesday to undergo a third operation on troublesome kidney stones, leaving his assistant Sammy Lee to lead training. Lee told the club's official website: "It's a difficult time for him because, you know Rafa Benitez - all he wants to do is be out there on the training pitch with his players. That's his forte. But he's still buoyant.

"He's going for the third operation but we're hoping it won't keep him out for too long - hopefully just a couple of days.

"All credit to Rafa for what he's put in place. His attention to detail and organisation means that, if any one of us is missing, there won't be a blip."

Lee added: "You certainly get a different view of things up there (directors box) - but he sees things that I don't when we're both on ground level, so there's no difference there!"