Benitez defends wide Gerrard role

RAFAEL BENITEZ has launched a passionate defence of his handling of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and his own managerial record at Anfield.

The Spanish coach has been criticised for his decision to play the 26-year-old England midfielder on the right rather than in the centre of midfield and there are noises coming from the Gerrard camp that he is not happy with the situation or the role he is being asked to play.

Benitez said: “I am as happy as Steve McClaren with Steven Gerrard and where he is playing.

“Steve scored 23 goals last season, playing on the right side of midfield. He is not being played as a right winger. Are you seeing him making crosses from the bye-line? No.

“He is always getting the ball and coming inside, that is what the role is. And he had the best season of his career playing that way.

“England can see that and that is where they are playing him too. Yes, Stevie can play well in central midfield, he could play well anywhere.

“But we have more balance with Momo Sissoko and Xabi Alonso there, and with Stevie wider. That works for our team. He goes inside and scores 23 goals, that is a good role for him.

“I have talked to Stevie, and he is happy. He is the captain and must be an example for the rest and he knows that the most important thing is the club, the team, the supporters and after that, the players.”

Gerrard is set to be one of Liverpool’s senior stars who are rested for the Carling Cup third-round clash with Reading at Anfield tonight.

Benitez is likely to blood youngsters Gabriel Paletta, Jamie Smith, Danny Guthrie and Lee Peltier in his squad, while England Under-19 goalkeeper David Martin will be on the bench because Jerzy Dudek is suspended.

Even without Gerrard in the team his form remains the major topic of conversation.

In response to talk – particularly from former Liverpool skipper Jamie Redknapp— that Gerrard is unsettled, Benitez said: “I think Stevie is as happy here as he is with the national team, where he is playing on the right in a new era with Steve McClaren.

Benitez has also had to handle the furious fall-out from his side’s defeat at Manchester United which leaves the Reds 11 points behind the Premiership leaders.

He said: “We were all obviously disappointed. But we cannot think like that, we have to look to the future.

“But do not forget that last season at one stage we were 24 points behind Chelsea but we finished with 82, a club record, and finished third.

And on his record and progress at Anfield, Benitez said: “People forget. When I arrived here we lost at Burnley in the FA Cup and we were told we were the worst Liverpool side in 40 years. We won the Champions League that season and reached the Carling Cup final. That wasn’t bad, surely.