Rangers boss Steven Gerrard details mentoring role Rafa Benitez is playing in his managerial career; Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez led Liverpool and Steven Gerrard to the Champions League title back in 2005 - and the pair still speak.

Byline: Chris Waugh

Rangers manager Steven Gerrard has revealed he still regularly seeks advice from his former Liverpool mentor Rafa Benitez.

The pair lifted the Champions League together during their time at Anfield, as well as the FA Cup and UEFA Super Cup, and Gerrard has spoken at length about how influential now-Newcastle Unitedmanager Benitez was on his playing career.

But, since taking the helm at Ibrox in the summer, Gerrard has looked to his former manager for counsel in the coaching sphere, too.

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In recent weeks, the pair have exchanged telephone conversations during which Gerrard has askedBenitezfor his guidance when planning to face specific teams.

While the 38-year-old can enjoy such a master-apprentice relationship with Benitez, he cannot lean on another of his formerLiverpoolmanagers, Brendan Rodgers, as heavily for advice.

That is because Rodgers is now in charge at Celtic, Rangers' bitter Old Firm rivals, and so the pair do not speak regularly - although they do share cordial relationship via text message.

Given that he cannot call upon Rodgers for direction, Gerrard has instead sought out the likes of Benitez, England manager Gareth Southgate, and other managers he played under during his illustrious footballing career.

"As my former manager he would have been someone I leaned on just starting in management,"Gerrardtold The Telegraph during an in-depth and wide-ranging interview with his friend and former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher, ahead of Saturday's historic 1-0 Old Firm victory over Rodgers' Celtic.

"I think it is difficult to do that now. Look, I had a good relationship [with Rodgers] when it was captain and manager but we never socialised beyond the training ground. You would exchange texts and speak, but it was not like you went for dinner or met for coffee.

"Last week I was on the phone to Rafa and had a few conversations. I spoke to him for about 20 minutes, talking about certain teams.

"I have spoken to Gareth Southgate while doing my pro-licence. I still speak to Alex Inglethorpe [the Liverpool academy director] quite a bit, so yes, Brendan would also have been one of those people.

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"Because of the rivalry he would not want to tell me anything and I would not want to tell him anything. It is impossible to have that relationship with him.

"But we have exchanged texts on certain occasions over certain things. I think people want there to be an issue and problem between us, to see us go fiery, toe to toe on the line.

"Now if that happens in the game, it happens. We both want to win. I just think people assumed there would be fireworks.

"I am not saying there never will be because in a game of football you never know how you are going to react but, at the moment, everything is respectful."

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Steven Gerrard and Rafa Benitez in 2005