Friday, March 21, 2008

Rafa Benitez Tells Capello To Give Steven Gerrard Captaincy

Rafael Benitez believes Steven Gerrard should be England’s permanent new skipper because he has matured on and off the pitch.

The Liverpool manager is aware that his own Anfield captain could well lose the England armband for next Wednesday’s friendly international in Paris against France.

New England coach Fabio Capello has talked of experimenting with various options before making a decision ahead of the start of the World Cup qualifiers in September.

Gerrard, who was skipper for Capello’s first match last month against Switzerland because John Terry was injured, may well find himself sidelined in Paris.

But Benitez is sure who he would want to see leading England.

He said: “I feel he should be given the armband for England permanently. On and off the pitch now he is a far more mature player, he knows what to do and how to behave.

“He would be a very good selection, a good option. He is a key player for us and for the national team.

“He has become a better player over the years. When he was 21, 22, he had plenty of energy but not as much now.

“Now he knows more how to play. Between 25 and 30, players are better. They know when to run, they know when to tackle. Now Gerrard is in this period of his career.”

Capello is considering Terry, Rio Ferdinand and even Gareth Barry and he says he will not make a decision until the day of the match.

Whoever he chooses, Capello must be impressed with Gerrard’s current form. The 27-year-old needs one goal to reach 20 for only the second time in a season.

The understanding between Fernando Torres and Gerrard has given Benitez confidence that he can at last manage a winning side in the league against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, after six previous defeats and one draw.

He said: “The understanding between players is always important, especially players up front. The partnership between Torres and Gerrard has made a massive difference, it is difficult for teams to stop them both. We are profiting from this.

“They have trained together for months, and now it is easier for them to work together.

“Both are scoring goals and things are easier because they are happy on the pitch.”

He added: “Steven is happy playing in this position, he is scoring goals and enjoying the way he is playing.

“We had some problems in which we could not control games we should have been controlling. So we decided on two holding players and Steven playing further forward with Torres, and it has worked really well.”

Liverpool must win to maintain their push for fourth spot in a straight fight now with Everton.

Benitez says: “This is one of the biggest games of the season, although we do have some other very important matches coming along. But because of the rivalry between the two clubs, this makes it special.

“This is a crucial time, and if we do (win) it takes us closer. If we keep winning we get closer and closer. But if we lose it will be very difficult to move closer to them in any way.

“If we win, and then beat Everton the following week, it will make things interesting.

“I know I have not won a league game against United, but we have been very close at times and only lost to last-minute goals.”

No comments: