Rafa backs Gerrard to be focused on derby clash

LIVERPOOL boss Rafael Benitez is confident that captain Steven Gerrard can put his court appearance out of his mind when he faces Everton in the FA Cup tomorrow.

Gerrard appeared at North Sefton Magistrates’ Court yesterday to answer charges of assault and affray following an alleged incident in a Southport bar last month.

The midfielder made a brief appearance in court and did not make a formal plea, and the case was adjourned for a second hearing at the same court on March 20.

The court was told that Gerrard will then plead not guilty, and it is expected the case will be committed to crown court at the second hearing.

Gerrard was driven straight from court to Liverpool’s training ground, where he resumed his preparation for Sunday’s fourth-round clash.

“Steven was working as normal in the training and he was scoring goals — and you could see the spirit was there that he always has,” Benitez reported.

“He showed the other week (when all this started) that he has a responsibility to the fans and the club.

“He is a very good professional and showed he can concentrate on the job — and he knows he has our full support.”

Benitez would not confirm Gerrard will start the match, although that is now expected.

Goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri, defender Andrea Dossena, midfielders Lucas, Yossi Benayoun and Javier Mascherano and winger Ryan Babel could all come into the side after Monday’s 1-1 draw at home to their city rivals.

Benitez added: “We were disappointed not to win against Everton on Monday; we were leading until the final minutes and we must not allow ourselves to make the sort of mistakes we made in those last minutes.

“We feel we have the quality to win this second match with Everton. It is not a problem playing them twice in a week — we had a similar experience last season when we played Arsenal three times in a couple of weeks.

“We do not have to waste much more paper or ink writing the tactics. We want to get to the final again — the experience we had winning the Cup in 2006 was wonderful. We know how important it is for the fans to do it again.”

While opposing manager David Moyes believes some of the gloss has been taken off the FA Cup in recent years but that does not mean he has less of an interest in winning it.

The Toffees have not lifted a trophy since their 1995 FA Cup victory over Manchester United and Moyes would like nothing better than dumping out their near-neighbours and continuing that run all the way to Wembley.

“I don’t think it is the same cup as everyone knew,” said Moyes. “The draw is not on the same day as we wanted it on and they play semi-finals at Wembley, which no-one wants. Overall I think there is a general lack of respect for the FA now — not for their cup competition but generally for the FA.

“But I’m looking forward to being in the cup and hopefully getting through. I would like to win the cup but there is big obstacle in front of us and we need to get over it.

“Obviously when it is a derby it adds even more spice to it. I don’t think either of the clubs would have wanted the draw when it came out but we are looking forward to it.

“We will go there and try to beat them. We think we can play better than we did in midweek. I don’t think it (Cahill’s late goal) gives any advantage. It is a different game completely for both of us.

“We are concentrating on getting through. It is something we would like to do and we are going to go there to see if we can try to make it happen.”

Moyes, whose side has been operating without a recognised striker for the last few weeks, is likely to name the same squad plus injury-free defender Joseph Yobo.