Hard ball | Benitez irritated by timing of Gerrard speculation
LIVERPOOL: Rafael Benitez lashed out at tabloid journalists for the timing of the latest rumours that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is looking to leave his boyhood club.
Sunday newspaper reports in England suggested that Gerrard would be moving away from Anfield when the January transfer window opens, because of his faltering relationship with the Spanish coach. Benitez is becoming used to the constant investigations into Gerrard’s future, but has been aggravated that they appeared just 48 hours before the club’s important Champions League Group C encounter with Bordeaux at Anfield, which could seal the club’s participation in the knock-out phase.
Again forced to dismiss the latest round of speculation over the future of Gerrard, Benitez admitted he is growing tired of the rumours suggesting there is a rift between him and his club captain. Victory over the French side, who have managed just one point from their first three games and were defeated by Liverpool in France in the previous round of group games, would confirm the progress of the 2005 champions.
“It is not a surprise to read stories like this,” said the Spaniard. “The newspapers never rest. They are always trying to find something to write about. Obviously they had nothing to write about and so they make up some rumours about Steven Gerrard. Anyone who thinks Steven Gerrard is not committed to this club should have seen him play against Aston Villa. It was clear that he was happy before, during and after the game. There is no rift between us and I am not prepared to sell my captain. We are constantly talking. He is my captain and there are many conversations between us. We are experienced in these matters now, but the most important thing is not to let it detract from our games and the one against Bordeaux.”
After the previous weekend’s disappointing defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford, Liverpool warmed up for the visit of Bordeaux in imperious style on Saturday at Anfield. And Mali midfielder Momo Sisoko is confident that Benitez has assembled a squad even better than the one that performed so impressively over the second half of last season.
