Gerrard backed to lift Liverpool
Despite losing a late away goal at Anfield, a place in the Champions League quarter-final beckons if Benitez’ side can protect their lead.
Benitez hopes his skipper can carry the side into the last eight, highlighting how important the 24-year-old is to the club’s long-term future.
Benitez said: “I want to see the best of my players, and Steven Gerrard is a key player. We know that if he plays well then we also play well.
“He wants to win games for us and he will improve from now until the end of the season, I have no doubt.
“This is a game for leadership and important players, for players like Stevie. We will be looking to him to have a major influence on the game and to inspire the players around him.”
With Chelsea consistently linked to Gerrard, success in the Champions League is understood to be the key to the midfielder remaining at Anfield.
Benitez also believes German international Dietmar Hamann has an important role as Gerrard’s partner in central midfield.
Benitez added: “I have been talking to the German manager (Jurgen Klinsmann) and I know he has a lot of confidence in Hamann who has been recalled to the national team, for me he has a lot of experience and is very important in this game.
Benitez will be without Harry Kewell, the Australia winger failing to recover from his ankle and Achilles problems.
Hamann and keeper Jerzy Dudek will return after missing the damaging 1-0 defeat at Newcastle on Saturday.
Benitez is now without 10 players either suspended or cup-tied and will turn to the likes of Vladimir Smicer for midfield attacking inspiration with his selection choices limited.
He added: “I have tried to put the reverses against Chelsea and Newcastle behind us, and to concentrate on this next game.
“I am always confident we can get to the quarter-finals. I watch my players in training and they look good and ready. Leverkusen are a good team but we do not lack confidence.
“We obviously must try not to concede goals and to score ourselves. If you had said to me before the first leg would I be happy with a 3-1 win, I would have happily accepted that.
“It is not as good as 3-0, but it is a lead any team would be happy with. But I accept that the first 20 minutes is vital, if we can control that first spell it will only increase our confidence.
“We must try to keep the ball and control the situation, plus working hard in defence to give us chances of counter attacks.”
Leverkusen coach Klaus Augenthaler insists his players firmly believe they can overcome the deficit.
“Certainly, Liverpool are favourites and my squad must perform to the best of their ability to create a minor miracle. But they believe it can be done.”
Having squandered a host of chances in the game on Merseyside, Leverkusen could be forgiven for having a sense of frustration at their current situation.
But Augenthaler believes the home side must pace their assault, whilst keeping it tight at the back.
He added: “We must give nothing away in defence. If we are leading 1-0 with 12 or 14 minutes to play we must not panic. We have to take controlled risks.”
Meanwhile Liverpool have dismissed any chance of American-based L4 Group investing in the club but remain determined to find new funds elsewhere.
The Anfield club have ruled out a cash injection from the consortium put together by two US-based entertainment executives and thought to have the backing of the Kraft family - owners of the New England Patriots (NFL) and the New England Revolution soccer franchises.
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