‘Gerrard can fulfil all dreams with Reds’

RAFAEL BENITEZ has told his ambitious skipper Steven Gerrard that he can achieve all of his dreams at Liverpool.

The Anfield manager understands fully Gerrard’s dilemma as the England midfielder contemplates the future path of his career and the need to be playing for a club who can compete among Europe’s elite as well as be consistent challengers for the Premiership crown.

Gerrard, only 25 by the end of the season, already feels the passing of time as he waits for Liverpool’s rebirth under Benitez to give him the chance to achieve his goals.

But, after his stunning match-winning performance against Olympiacos that sent Liverpool into the last 16 of the Champions League on a memorable Anfield night, Gerrard has been told by Benitez that he does not have to leave.

Benitez insisted: “Steven can win all he wants with us and we need him.

“He has seen that we have a good team and we can do more things in the future.

“But if we want to win more games, important games, we need Steven in the team.

“We need his strength, the strong mentality he has and his quality. I think he likes and wants the responsibility of leading this team.

“And it is important for our future, although I understand him when he says, ‘OK, I want to win things’. But I have said to him I want him to win those things with us, I believe he can win all he wants with us.”

Liverpool’s fans would certainly echo Benitez’s plea after witnessing Gerrard’s part in one of the most uplifting nights of their long European history.

Three previous astonishing comebacks spring to mind. The victory over St Etienne in 1977 when supersub David Fairclough stole the show in a 3-1 win that overcame a 1-0 first leg away defeat.

Then there was the UEFA Cup comeback in 1991 against Auxerre, when they recovered from a 2-0 away defeat to win the second leg 3-0, a triumph inspired by Jan Molby.

And there is also the Champions League 2-0 victory at home to Roma in 2002 when another two goal margin was required to reach the quarter finals, Jari Litmanen and Emile Heskey scoring on the night Gerard Houllier returned from his serious illness.