[lfc-news] Success in Europe can silence Gerrard talk - Post

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Liverpool Daily Post, 15 Sept 2004
Success in Europe can silence Gerrard talk
By Andy Hunter, Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ has admitted Liverpool need a good Champions League campaign
to silence speculation over Steven Gerrard's future once and for all.

Liverpool return to Europe's premier club competition against Monaco
tonight with Gerrard looking to maintain the superb form that has yielded
four goals so far this season.

The midfielder's influence at Anfield has been unaffected by the summer
offer from Chelsea or reports of a January move to Real Madrid. And though
Benitez sought out Madrid to allay fears of a £22million bid in the
transfer window, he admits Liverpool can banish doubts themselves by
reaching the Champions League knockout stages next year.

"For Gerrard and all the players it is important we go far in the Champions
League," said the Liverpool manager. "I am sure it is very important for
them but it is also very important for the whole club because of its
history and the money we can make and spend on the team if we go far.

"But it isn't necessary to be thinking about the future. It is far better
to do our job properly now and then it will be easier to keep and sign good
players in the future.

"Steven is a fantastic player and will get even better in the future. If he
has lost concentration because of all the speculation then I hope he stays
like that because he is playing very well and scoring lots of goals!"

Benitez also sees Champions League progress with Liverpool as the way to
erase his own painful memories of the competition with Valencia.

The Anfield coach rates the 2003 quarter-final against Inter Milan as the
biggest regret of his time at the Mestalla Stadium when the Spaniards were
knocked out on the away goals rule.

Benitez continued: "Losing on away goals in the quarter-finals with
Valencia two years ago was perhaps the most disappointing moment of my time
there. It was an unbelievable game at home, we had 35 shots on the Inter
goal but their keeper was inspired and the goal we needed just wouldn't come.

"I see the Champions League as a big challenge for me but then so is the
Premier League. I want to win every game we play, it doesn't matter what
the competition is.

"Supporters might be split 50-50 on which they would prefer to win but in
my mind it is just another game and I want to see us produce what we have
been working on in train-ing."

Benitez is considering changes to the side that comprehensively beat West
Bromwich Albion, with £10.7m midfielder Xabi Alonso in line to return after
starting Saturday's game on the bench.

"We have trained very well, we have seen that everyone wants to play and
that is very important," said Benitez..

"They have trained hard because they want to play. But yes, I may change
some of the personnel in the team."

Chris Kirkland is available again after being sidelined for the past
fortnight with a back injury but is unlikely to start due to a lack of
match practice.

"He will be on the squad list but he's had no games for the past 15 days,"
the Liverpool manager added.


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