Benitez retains faith in Gerrard

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has reaffirmed his “trust” in captain Steven Gerrard and insists he never had any doubts about playing his key midfielder in tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Preston.

It has been a traumatic week for Gerrard, who on Sunday scored twice in a devastating 5-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Newcastle to keep Liverpool top of the table.