Southampton boss Mauricio Pellegrino has revealed he "will always be grateful" to his former manager, now at Newcastle, Rafa Benitez, ahead of the meeting between their sides this weekend, reports Sky Sports.

Pellegrino played under Benitez at Valencia and Liverpool, he went on to return to Anfield in 2008 as part of the Spaniard's coaching staff.

And the 46-year-old has hailed the influence Benitez had on him "personally and professionally".

"I will always be grateful to Rafa because he's a good example for me both personally and professionally," Pellegrino said.

"First of all he was a really important team-mate because we were working together in Valencia as a player and after in Liverpool.

"He gave me the opportunity to work in professional football as an assistant (manager)."