Champions League Group G: Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard's willingness to play on the right of midfield has made Liverpool a better team. Gerrard is still battling to hold down a role at the centre of England's midfield in a partnership with Frank Lampard but he has been key to a significant shift in the Liverpool manager's system and tactics in recent games.

It is unlikely the 25-year-old would have been enamoured with being moved to the right of midfield to accommodate Xabi Alonso and Mohamed Sissoko but Benitez's gratitude to his skipper is clear.

Following the impressive 3-0 win over Anderlecht in the Champions League at Anfield, Benitez said: "Steve is happy there, he understands the tactics and he is always thinking about the benefits to the team."

There was not a hint of complaint from Gerrard after a victory which puts Liverpool top of Group G and just needing to avoid defeat against Real Betis at Anfield in three weeks' time to reach the last 16. Gerrard said: "We looked very good going forward, we scored goals and we were pleased with the outcome."

The fall-out from the defeats at Fulham and Crystal Palace has seen Benitez switch to a fluid 4-4-2, with Gerrard filling the gaping hole on the right where he has been encouraged to interchange with Luis Garcia on the left and for both players to move inside to attack.

Benitez said: "With Steve on the right side he has a lot of freedom, we then have more options there. We can also play Sissoko and Alonso together in the middle and it means we are able to regain a lot of possession and attack well. While with Luis Garcia on the left we have a winger that allows us to play two strikers, attacking players behind the front men and a better balance.

"Steve and Luis change their positions many times, swapping and moving inside, and that makes it more difficult to control them. Both can play 'between the lines' and wide. Both can shoot and when we see Luis scoring goals like that (against Anderlecht) it means both can head the ball too . . . Steve is a good player and to be able to have him playing with Alonso, Luis Garcia and two strikers (means) it is a more offensive team."

For now, Benitez seems to have put on ice the 4-2-3-1 formation he has been trying to instil into Liverpool. Playing alongside a second striker has also helped Peter Crouch, although he is still striving for that first goal.

Benitez hinted he is unlikely to tinker much with a winning side at Aston Villa on Saturday despite the fact the side he put out, with Crouch replacing Djibril Cisse up front, was the 42nd successive time he has changed a team. The Spaniard said: "We played well against West Ham at the weekend, scored two goals, and I decided to just change the one player, Crouch for Cisse. Whether we keep doing it in the league, I don't know for sure. It depends on whether players are tired. But my idea is that if the team is playing well then I will retain most parts of it."

Liverpool must wait until November 23rd for the chance to complete the qualification task against Betis, while praying there are no shocks to leave them needing to get something from the final match at Chelsea on December 6th. Chelsea would love to gain revenge for last season by eliminating the holders at Stamford Bridge.

Benitez said: "It would have been nice to relax with us qualified, because I was waiting for a Chelsea victory against Betis. It hasn't happened and things will be more difficult but we do have the advantage over everyone else in the group.

"We must be careful because they (Betis) are a good, attacking away side with fine strikers with pace. They are quick and play very good counter-attack, so we must be aware of our job and know we cannot take anything for certain."