Steven Gerrard leads his team into the new season at Anfield this evening with Rafael Benitez hopeful the Liverpool captain can do the same at Old Trafford in the near future.

For England, of course. New national team coach Steve McClaren dropped in at Melwood on Monday to meet Benitez, observe training and reacquaint himself with his Liverpool contingent.

But it was Gerrard in particular who was the main topic of conversation between the two managers, with McClaren due to name his first England squad on Friday for the friendly against Greece at Manchester United next Wednesday.