Benitez prepared to take Gerrard gamble

Rafael Benitez will invoke the spirit of Istanbul as he prepares to gamble on the fitness of skipper Steven Gerrard in tomorrow’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, winners 3-1 at Anfield last week in the first leg, are odds-on now to complete the task and qualify for the expected semi-final showdown against Barcelona who are already 4-0 ahead in their tie with Bayern Munich.