Benitez backs Gerrard as Mascherano saga ends

RAFAEL BENITEZ insisted his skipper Steven Gerrard is “100% committed to Liverpool” just an hour before finally completing the £18.6million permanent signing of Javier Mascherano yesterday.

After another week of intrigue and turmoil at Anfield, with the battle for financial control of the club raging on, the Liverpool chief believes he has managed to settle the futures of his two key midfielders.

Gerrard’s comments in midweek showing his anger and frustration at Liverpool’s title fade-out were interpreted as an attack on Benitez while bringing the player’s own long-term future into question.