Benitez drops Gerrard hint

14 April 2009 08:30
Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a strong hint that he is ready to name captain Steven Gerrard in his starting line-up against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.[LNB] The England star was an unused substitute for Saturday's Premier League hammering of Blackburn after suffering a recurrence of a groin injury which has proved problematic throughout the season.[LNB]Benitez announced on Monday that he was to make a late decision on whether to select his star player in his first XI for Tuesday's trip to Stamford Bridge, where Liverpool are looking to overturn a 3-1 first-leg defeat in the quarter-finals.[LNB]The Reds boss insists his side can cope without Gerrard, who missed October's 1-0 league win in West London, but also recognises that pairing the 28-year-old with Fernando Torres would make Tuesday's unenviable second-leg task less daunting. [LNB]Benitez said: "Steven is important, a key player for us. He has power and he can score goals, we can win without him but it is easier if he plays.[LNB]Massive boost"We have already won at Stamford Bridge this season. We ended their long unbeaten home record and that is a massive boost to our confidence.[LNB]"We can do it if we work together and we score in the first half. If we do not do that it becomes increasingly more difficult, mentally.[LNB]"If we score a second goal then they will be under real pressure. But we know we must be almost perfect.[LNB]"And we know that with Steven and Fernando together on the pitch we do have a good chance.[LNB]"People have written us off. Maybe we have nothing to lose, which means we can be positive, relax and hopefully then not make mistakes."[LNB]Zonal markingMeanwhile, Benitez maintains his faith in the zonal marking system which came in for criticism in Liverpool's first-leg defeat.[LNB]Branislav Ivanovic stunned Anfield with two goals from corners in Chelsea's convincing victory and the home side's defensive approach was questioned.[LNB]But ahead of the second leg, Benitez is adamant his side, who must score at least three goals to progress, will not be adapting to a man marking plan.[LNB]"We feel we can handle Chelsea in the air," said the Spaniard. "There was a lot of talk last week about our zonal marking system but all the top clubs have conceded about the same from set-pieces this season, it is not just the system that matters.[LNB]"We are happy with the way we defend, it is all about the quality of players in the end. Zonal marking has been good for us in the past, and it will be good for the future." [LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports