Thursday, April 01, 2010

Steven Gerrard Mustn't Get Used To Centre Midfield Says Rafa Benitez


Liverpool FC boss Rafa Benitez has welcomed the return to form of Steven Gerrard but told his captain not to get too comfortable in his favoured central midfield role.

The Liverpool FC captain was dropped back to a more orthodox position against Sunderland on Sunday and responded with an improved personal display in the Reds' 3-0 win.

For a long time critics have been urging Benitez to deploy Gerrard in what they feel is his best position but the Liverpool FC manager said what was more important was the overall game plan.

"I remember discussions with England about Gerrard and Frank Lampard not being able to play in the middle but they can," said the Reds boss ahead of Liverpool FC's Europa League quarter-final trip to play Benfica in Lisbon.

"He can play everywhere because he knows what to do in every position.

"He was keen to do the best for the team and the best for the team the other day was for him to play in this role with Javier Mascherano.

"For me it is not the player and the system but altogether.

"In the last year with the same system we were quite offensive and this year we have scored a lot of goals, especially at Anfield, with the same system.

"It has been Lucas-Mascherano, Lucas-Aquilani, Lucas-Gerrard, Mascherano-Aquilani - we can mix and match.

"It gives us more options."

No comments: