Benitez bullish as Reds eye Stoke win to kick-start season

RAFAEL BENITEZ faces the minefield of an FA Cup tie against lower division rivals without the inspiration of skipper Steven Gerrard but with a desire to re-launch Liverpool’s faltering season.

And the Anfield boss, after a few days of reflection following Wednesday’s home draw with Wigan which all but ended the club’s title dreams, insists that the Merseysiders are not down and out just yet.

But he will face Luton without Gerrard, who has been ruled out of tomorrow’s tie with a calf injury.