Alex Miller has thanked Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez for his support as he leaves his assistant's job to take up a coaching role at Japan's JEF United.

He was officially unveiled as the Japanese side's new manager earlier yesterday, but he was keen to pay tribute to his former boss.

"Rafa understood that I wanted to manage a club again. The players understand fully why I've left and they were very supportive on Thursday, my last day," Miller told liverpoolfc.tv.

"I've really enjoyed working with Rafa. He's a very good coach and we had great success in the last four years, when you look at what we've achieved.

"Being the first team coach was a fantastic position to be in at such a top club. I worked exceptionally hard for years with numerous clubs to try to get to the top and he gave me that chance.

"I will always be indebted to him."