Fate has no meaning in Rafael Benítez's managerial lexicon but he is prepared to make an exception in the case of Steven Gerrard's 100th goal for Liverpool. Only an errant decision denied the Liverpool captain his milestone against Stoke City at Anfield last weekend. That the opportunity now arises at Goodison Park, a ground where Gerrard has been baited mercilessly in recent years, has caused even Liverpool's arch-pragmatist to believe the outcome may be scripted.
"Maybe his goal against Stoke was disallowed because destiny has been reserved for him to score his 100th goal against Everton," said Benítez, who takes an unbeaten record across Stanley Park this lunchtime. "Gerrard can score in any game, he's always a threat even when he's not playing well, but I am sure what happened against Stoke will only motivate him more to score against Everton. Especially in a derby, it would be fantastic for him to get that goal and I believe he can."
The Liverpool manager controversially substituted the man from Huyton during last season's tempestuous Goodison derby for displaying "too much passion" and believes the England midfielder has learned from the experience.
"Gerrard is more mature now and understands he can play with passion but have control of the situation too," insisted Benítez. "At that point [in last year's derby]we needed to keep possession against 10 men, we needed to keep control. And it was Lucas [Leiva] - who came on and was calmer and more relaxed - who was able to create our winner. That was an important decision for the team, something I had to do. Maybe this time it will be Steven who wins the game for us."
Liverpool, if they win, will equal their best six-game start to a Premier League season and Benítez added: "This kind of game, against a rival in a derby, is always a test but if we can win the confidence will be really, really high in the team."
"Maybe his goal against Stoke was disallowed because destiny has been reserved for him to score his 100th goal against Everton," said Benítez, who takes an unbeaten record across Stanley Park this lunchtime. "Gerrard can score in any game, he's always a threat even when he's not playing well, but I am sure what happened against Stoke will only motivate him more to score against Everton. Especially in a derby, it would be fantastic for him to get that goal and I believe he can."
The Liverpool manager controversially substituted the man from Huyton during last season's tempestuous Goodison derby for displaying "too much passion" and believes the England midfielder has learned from the experience.
"Gerrard is more mature now and understands he can play with passion but have control of the situation too," insisted Benítez. "At that point [in last year's derby]we needed to keep possession against 10 men, we needed to keep control. And it was Lucas [Leiva] - who came on and was calmer and more relaxed - who was able to create our winner. That was an important decision for the team, something I had to do. Maybe this time it will be Steven who wins the game for us."
Liverpool, if they win, will equal their best six-game start to a Premier League season and Benítez added: "This kind of game, against a rival in a derby, is always a test but if we can win the confidence will be really, really high in the team."
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