Rafa hails ‘unstoppable’ Gerrard

RAFAEL Benitez believes Steven Gerrard is approaching his “unstoppable” best as he leads a much happier club into what could be a triumphant Champions League night at Anfield tonight.

One more victory in Group C against Bordeaux — and a failure by Galatasaray to get anything from their away tie with PSV Eindhoven — will see Liverpool reach the second phase of the competition with two games to spare.

That would be a best-ever performance in the group stages by Liverpool, who qualified with one game to spare last season, and enjoyed a memorable last-game assault on Olympiacos — thanks to a stunning Gerrard goal — the season before.

Benitez will be a in far better frame of mind ahead of this game than he was on Saturday before the impressive 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

He had been subjected to a barrage of criticism over his management style from an unnamed director, as well as for his handling of Gerrard.

Since then the furore over Gerrard has been discounted on all sides, while Liverpool’s board have apologised for the uproar caused by one of their number, who has still to be identified.

Benitez can concentrate his side on the job in hand against a French side they beat 1-0 away a fortnight ago.

Benitez sees Gerrard, playing in a versatile role he appears to gave fully embraced, as the catalyst.

Benitez said: “It was clear last season that Steven scored 23 goals and made many assists, and he did it from the role we are now playing him in.

“He is nominally starting on the right, but he is mobile and can attack from various positions, left or right, and that worries teams because they do not know what to expect.

“Steven is a player who can produce his talents from all around the pitch, and that is the essence of what he should be doing.

“If he is on his game and working like this he can be frightening for opponents, he has such drive and strength to get forward.

“He is unstoppable. I like that word, it is a good way to describe Steven when he plays well, and we are now seeing this more often.”

This is a key moment for Benitez, who is anticipating a third home win in a week to get Liverpool’s season back on track.

He praised the importance of Mohamed Sissoko, playing in a central role, as it benefits both the team and Gerrard’s free role.

Benitez said: “Momo is as important as Steven, because he can play in the middle and work and cover when Steven is attacking from different avenues.

“Momo can stop players and that is the balance we are looking for.

“Momo provides the opportunity for Steven to attack with confidence that there is cover. It is a balance that a big team needs.”

It is clear Sissoko’s recovery from a minor ankle injury is crucial to Benitez’s plans against a Bordeaux outfit lagging at the bottom of the group.

Benitez said: “Momo has become so important for us. He gives us a physical power that is vital in top-class football these days.”

Following the anonymous boardroom assault on his abilities, Benitez has emerged more powerful than ever, with the Anfield crowd giving him a massive reception on Saturday.

Benitez has had similar support from the Anfield hierarchy.

He said: “My determination remains to win lots of trophies here and build a strong team for the future. When you hear people talk about the value of my squad, it’s triple what it was when we arrived.

“I’m really happy here. When you hear the support on Saturday, it means I’m in the right place.”