Benitez refuses to get involved in Gerrard row

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez retained his dignity yesterday as the Chelsea ‘tapping up’ saga threatened to engulf his captain Steven Gerrard.

The Reds face two matches in six days which will dictate their season, starting with tonight’s visit of FA Cup semi-finalists Blackburn and then neighbours Everton on Sunday.

But Benitez was distressed the Premier League’s investigation into the ‘tapping up’ allegations levelled at Chelsea over Ashley Cole could now involve Gerrard.