Rafa wins monthly accolade

Rafa Benitez has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month, after a sterling start to the season which saw Liverpool reach the peak of the Premiership table. Tottenham finally ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season only last week.

"I am really pleased to receive this on behalf of my staff because they are doing very well - people like Sammy Lee, Mauricio Pellegrino, Xavi Valero and Paco Di Miguel," Bentiez told the club's official website.

"It's important for the staff and it's important because it means the team is playing well - you can't win Manager of the Month unless the team is winning.

"It means the club is in a good position. Hopefully we can receive more awards like this because it means we'll be in a good position at the end of the season."