Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and manager Rafa Benitez have landed the Barclays Player and Manager of the Month awards for Match.
Gerrard has become the first player to win his award for the fifth time after starring in emphatic wins over title rivals Manchester United and high-flying Aston Villa.
Gerrard was at his inspirational best over the course of the month, setting up David Ngog’s opener in the 2-0 win against Sunderland, before scoring in the 4-1 victory away at Old Trafford, which gave the Reds’ Barclays Premier League title challenge fresh impetus. Gerrard rounded off the month by netting a hat-trick in the 5-0 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield.
Benitez picks up the managerial award for the fifth time in his fifth season at the club. He joins only seven other managers to have won the award on five or more occasions, and is the only manager to have picked up the honour twice this season, having also won the award in October 2008.
mirror.co.uk
