Liverpool Football Club News

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• Manager:Kenny Dalglish

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Benitez gives Gerrard backing

01 Jan 2009 - 08:41:18

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has vowed to give his full support to Reds captain Steven Gerrard, who faces charges of assault and affray following a clash outside a nightclub.

Gerrard, 28, was one of six people arrested in the early hours of Monday morning following an altercation at a Southport bar which left one man needing hospital treatment for a facial injury.

He was released from Southport police station in the early hours of Tuesday morning after being charged and bailed along with two other men.

Benitez commented: "I sat down with him and had a very good talk about the situation. We'll do whatever we can to support Steven in the weeks ahead.

"Steven explained to me what had happened and I told him he has my full support and backing, along with everyone else at the football club.

"He's trained with the other lads after a couple of days off for the squad and is keen now to focus solely on his football. He is our captain and a key player for us."