Gerrard and Baros keep Benitez on his toes

LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez has spent the past week re-building captain Steven Gerrard’s confidence – and trying to keep Milan Baros quiet.

The Anfield chief knows he must restore self-belief in the camp before today's Premiership match at Newcastle, followed by Tuesday's Champions League match away to Bayer Leverkusen, where the Reds hold a 3-1 first leg lead.

Gerrard was devastated by his own goal which lost Liverpool the lead in last weekend's Carling Cup final which Chelsea went on to win 3-2 in extra time while Baros has spoken of his disappointment at not starting the Cardiff match.

Benitez has admitted all the speculation surrounding Gerrard's future has not helped the situation.

He said: "It is not easy for Steven with everybody talking about his future, but maybe something positive will come from what happened last weekend.

"We do not blame him; we support him because we want to see the best of Steven Gerrard for the rest of the season."

While Benitez has been boosting Gerrard's morale, he has clearly been spelling out a few home truths to Baros, who has been openly questioning his own Anfield future.

He said: "I have said to Milan that the most important thing he can do is to play well, not talk, and he understands. He'll play well for the rest of the season because he has the right mentality I hope to see a goal from him at Newcastle."

Benitez is prepared to take on board the criticism from fans on radio phone-ins since the defeat in Cardiff.

"I am not angry with the fans for complaining. This is football in Spain we say there are 40 million managers. People have their opinions. But if we want to hear our supporters behind us then we have to work very, very hard to make sure they do."

Benitez insists Liverpool can bridge the eight-point lead Everton have in the race for fourth spot.

"Everton have an advantage. They are not in a lot of competitions, so they can focus on the league games," he pointed out. But they have won a lot and have consistency and confidence. Each time you win it becomes like a snowball you gain more confidence and improve.

"We still believe we can do it, but I will discuss it again in 15 days because we have some very important games. We must keep our heads up and fight, because it may be that we will need three points from the last game of the season."

Meanwhile, Terry McDermott insists Newcastle can still finish in the top six. The Newcastle coach is eager to pick up maximum points, and he will have no qualms if that means adding to Liverpool's woes.

McDermott won four league championships, three European Cups and two League Cups in a glittering eight-year career on Merseyside, either side of his two spells as a player at St James' Park.

But it was on Tyneside that he first made his name, and having returned since to assist first Kevin Keegan and now Graeme Souness in their efforts to bring the glory days back to the city, he knows exactly what is at stake.

Newcastle, in 12th place, head into today's clash defending a four-game winning run. And with their FA Cup and UEFA Cup campaigns still ongoing, McDermott is confident that there could yet be a happy ending to a difficult season.

Newcastle seem certain to be without full-back Celestine Babayaro who has been called up by Nigeria.