Boss: Maxi in mood to shine

Rafael Benitez today insisted Maxi Rodriguez will have a major role to play in Liverpool's quest for a top four finish at the end of the season.

After a difficult introduction to English football - which included a physical debut at Stoke and the rough and tumble of a Merseyside derby - the Argentine international has grown in stature over recent weeks, culminating in him producing his best display in a red shirt against Blackburn last weekend.

Benitez admits he was always conscious it would take time for the former Atletico Madrid man to adapt to English football, but he has seen enough of late to suggest he could be about to make a pivotal contribution in the run-in.

"I agree that last week was his best performance," said Benitez.

"It is important for us to have a player who can keep the ball and understand the game and he knows what it means to play in the Premier League now. He knows all about the challenges!

"We have spoken a lot about the tempo of the Premier League and, in particular, the derby. It was very quick. But he knows now. He feels much better and he realises what it is all about, the tackles and everything else.

"Maxi is learning all the time and the main thing I see is that he is very keen to learn. He has got quality, he has experience and you can see that he is a very good professional. Little by little, he will give more and more to us."