Lee set for Anfield return

Liverpool are in talks with former midfielder Sammy Lee with a view to him becoming Rafael Benitez’s assistant manager at Anfield.

Lee, sacked as manager at Bolton last October, has held discussions this week with Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry.

The ex-England international had an illustrious playing career at Liverpool before moving into coaching, and has previously been reserve team manager and first team coach at the club under Graeme Souness and Gerard Houllier.

Now he is expected to complete negotiations imminently and return to the club as Benitez’s number two.

The Spaniard moved to bring Lee back to Anfield when first team coach Alex Miller quit the club last week to manage Japanese side JEF United Chiba.

Lee’s appointment has been approved by the club’s American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, who recognised Benitez has been without a number two since the departure of Pako Ayesteran last August.