Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez insists he has a good, friendly relationship with his players.

Benitez has been portrayed as fiercely driven to the point of uncaring in many a Liverpool player's autobiography, but challenged on claims he never puts an arm round the likes of Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher or Fernando Torres, he said: "When a lie is repeated many times, people start to believe it. It is normal for me to have lots of conversations with my players.

"Believe me, I say well done to them when they do well, especially after a win. I have said it hundreds of times. I must say, I was surprised to read what Fernando said about me congratulating him on a goal against Chelsea when he thought I was referring to the birth of his baby.

"I did talk about the goal, but I also said congratulations about the baby. I think sometimes they have a book to sell and have to write something!"