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Benitez - Gerrard can get even better

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside about Steven Gerrard yesterday Benitez said: “He can improve because he is learning, every single training session you know he is trying to learn something. He’s more mature, he’s learning a lot about tactics and it’s very positive for him and really positive for us.”

And following Gerrard’s recent comments about wanting to follow in Rafa’s footsteps by extending his contract beyond 2011, Benitez has welcomed these words from Gerrard; “It’s good for the team spirit. Stevie knows that we want the best for the club and I think it is important to hear him talking in this way.”

“There are a lot of good players around the world but he is one of the best, clearly.”

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Liverpool’s Gerrard the best player in the world!?

Is Steven Gerrard the best player in the world? Well, according to Zidane, he might be!..

After readind Zidane’s comments I think he does have a point - after all Gerrard just gets on with playing football. There is no ‘over-kill’ from him, I mean he doesn’t seem to look for attention or attract the big ‘I am’ kind of attitude; Gerrard is 110% football, simple as that.

Gerrard said he was flattered but didn’t consider himself anything like the best player in the world, here’s what Zidane said:

“Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but, yes, I think he just might be.”

“He has great passing ability, can tackle and scores goals, but most importantly he gives the players around him confidence and belief. You can’t learn that - players like him are just born with that presence.”

It is Gerrard’s recent form, especially in the Champions League games against Real Madrid and then the Premiership game against Manchester United that Gerrards form has really shown improvement and been rewarded with goals, Gerrard said:

“I am aware that I do need to be consistent for my country and to try and reproduce my Liverpool form. But I think since the new manager has come in my form has improved.”

“It was frustrating to miss the last two games but I scored in my last outing and helped set up a couple of goals, so I was pleased.

“It’s very important to perform well for both this club and England - the idea is to finish the season strongly with Liverpool and then to be successful as we go into the World Cup year.

“Hopefully we’ll qualify as I’d love nothing better than to have a fantastic World Cup and to perform on such a stage.”

Liverpool sent out a huge statement to Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal over the last 14 days but Rafiael Benitez is still disapointed that we didn’t score more goals!

We now sit just 1 point behind United and 2 better on our goal difference (compared to 11 better for United back at the beginning of March). It’s because of the demolitions of Aston Villa and Manchester United that Liverpool now surely have the momentum to take the Premier league title back to Anfield.

Watch Rafa talking to the BBC after the demolition of Aston Villa at the weekend.

Steven Gerrard is keeping his feet on the ground and admits that Manchester United are still favourites;

“Now we must keep winning, keep on their shoulder and keep piling on the pressure. We must show we are ready to pounce on any mistakes they make.”

Because of the international matches coming up there is a few weeks to wait until the Premiership battle can commence but Benitez and the whole Liverpool team are confident on chasing this all the way to the wire;

“We need to wait now for United to make mistakes. We are closer but they are in a very good position. We must keep going and keep pushing them.”

“They will see we are working hard for every game, so my message is to keep doing our job.

“When you are playing well, the players have more confidence. Sometimes you do not need to change things, we have more or less the same players and system.

“But it is now one game a week. Fernando Torres is fit, Gerrard is fit, Fabio Aurelio is fit so it is easier to keep the same players on the pitch.

“We may have injury problems caused by the international break, but we have Daniel Agger back from injury and Yossi Benayoun almost fit. That gives us more choice but we will need all of our players now.”

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Rafa insists on perfection from Liverpool

Liverpool Manager Rafael Benitez has set Liverpool football club the target of 9 wins from the last 9 league games, I suppose it sounds a bit obvious really ‘win the last 9 games to win the league title’..?

Benitez said; “We have beaten Real Madrid and Manchester United in the same week. If we can beat them, we can beat anybody,” said the Spaniard.

“Realistically, we have to win all of our games.”

“You never know what can happen in football but we know how much experience and quality United have in their squad.”

Rafa also admitted that whenever Torres AND Gerrard are on the pitch it gives an air of confidence to the rest of the team. I must admit it seems that way, and coincedntally the last 2 games when Liverpool have scored 4 goals both these players have started.

Gerrard spoke to BBC sport about Torres; “He’s magic. I know I’m going to be biased but I don’t think that anyone will argue against me that he’s the best striker in the world.

“If we keep him fit from now to the end of the season, it’s going to be an exciting finish.

“I believe that If we’d had him fit for more games we’d be closer or even in front of United.”

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I had the pleasure to be at Anfield last night in the main stand near the Kop (just past that post in the photo!) so the sight of Steven Gerrard’s second goal in the second half was heavenly, especially as it came so close to the restart and at that point I think everyone knew the quarter finals of the Champions League were calling…

It wasn’t just the goal that was fantastic; it was the build up of quick passes and real attacking agression that was so good to see continuously flowing throughout the match.

At last I think that performance underlines Liverpool’s consitantancy over the last 5 years and Benitez can now look forward to taking the confidence on to Old Trafford at the weekend and revitalise the title chase once again. We’ve simply got to win and upset the so called ‘rythm’ United seem to have slipped into (1 - 0 wins).

I almost forgot to mention, it was remarkable to see Fernando Torres live on the pitch, his movement and passing is complete quality and he deserved maybe a couple more goals based on his performance last night…

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Benitez waits on Benayoun and Torres for Liverpool v Real Madrid

The fitness of Yossi Benayoun and Fernando Torres is still in doubt with just 24 hours to go until the last 16 Champions league match against Real Madrid tomorrow night at Anfield.

Benitez said of the two players;

“Yossi has a hamstring problem and we will know more after the scan.”

“Fernando is training but not in the full sessions. We are doing special sessions with specific work with some players. Hopefully he can train today and then we will see.

“It depends on his reaction after the session and then again tomorrow. I think he can be part of the squad and maybe he can play some minutes, but I can’t guarantee how much.”

Lets pray they both make it back for a crucial match that is the start of a defining series of games that could make or break the Liverpool FC season.

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