Rafa Benitez has played down talk that Ayoze Perez has become a better player simply because of Miguel Almiron.
However, he admits there is a good partnership flourishing between the duo.
The Spaniard has been in sparkling form since Almiron arrived for £16million from Atlanta United in January.
But Benitez feels Perez deserves personal credit too.
He said: “His contribution for the team in defence is quite important because we are talking about a very offensive player.
“Obviously last season, he scored goals and did well at the end of the season, and this year, it seems that is the same.
“I am really pleased for him because he knows that he has to be more consistent. If he scores three goals sometimes, I will be happy with that.”
Discussing Almiron’s link up play with Perez, Benitez said: “To be fair, it's because the way that we play now, Miguel Almiron with the pace, Rondon holding the ball with him and the wing-backs, they are giving us different options and he's finding more space between the lines and also behind the defenders.
“There are a lot of things together, and he is doing well because he understands what he has to do.”
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