Zeljko Buvac won the Grand National sweepstake at Melwood after Rule The World was the first past the post at Aintree on Saturday evening.

Liverpool’s first assistant coach proved lucky in plucking out the No.29 at the training ground ahead of the testing steeplechase, which took place while the Reds were training for their game against Stoke City.

Fellow staff member Andy O’Boyle was second with The Last Samuri while Jürgen Klopp’s pick, Vics Canvas – which had drifted to 100-1 in the betting by the time the race began – came third following a creditable challenge.