Source: Daily_Mail
Gerrard joins the 500 club as one of the best players of all time, says Benitez
Captain fantastic: Gerrard[LNB]Steven Gerrard will reel off another 300 appearances for Liverpool before he finishes and finally land the title - winning the medal he craves as a reward for his unstinting loyalty.[LNB] Rafa Benitez made that bold double prediction as the Liverpool skipper closed in on the notable distinction of playing 500 times for his home club.[LNB] The landmark will be reached against Blackburn at Ewood Park today. Even though Gerrard is a long way short of Ian Callaghan's club record 857 appearances, Liverpool manager Benitez thinks he can challenge it.[LNB] Benitez says the 29-year-old England midfielder will prove irreplaceable when age finally catches up with him.[LNB] Reflecting on the way Gerrard adapted to an unfamiliar role on the right of midfield a couple of seasons ago and has revelled in his current position just behind main striker Fernando Torres, Benitez explained his likely longevity by hailing him as the best trainer at the club.[LNB]'He is a really good professional, first and foremost, someone who isalways first on the training pitch and always looking to learn andimprove himself. I am just pleased he is still here, after we nearlylost him to Chelsea, and I can see him still changing the course ofgames for us after another 300 appearances.[LNB] Rafa's main man: Benitez has paid tribute to his skipper[LNB]'There is no reason why not, because the work he puts in means his physical condition is really good.[LNB] 'I know how much he wants to win the league before he retires, and I am sure he can do it as a Liverpool player. We will be contenders over the next three or four years, I am certain of that, andone of them will end with Stevie holding up the Premier League trophy.[LNB] 'He wants that badly after winning everything else, and I am very confident it will happen for him. He will deserve it, too, after filling so many positions with such distinction. People wondered if I had made a mistake when I played him on the right, but he scored more goals than ever. When he plays on the left for England, he can cut inside and be dangerous, and he has been an outstanding success as second striker for us this season.[LNB] Highlight: Gerrard scored a stunning volley in the 2006 FA Cup final as Liverpool beat West Ham on penalties at the Millennium Stadium[LNB]'He even looked the part the one time I saw him at right back a fewyears ago. I might think twice about putting him in goal, but, thenagain, he would probably keep a clean sheet, if I did.[LNB] 'There is a case for saying he is equally effective wherever you playhim but, if pushed, I would go for central midfield as the position that brings the best out of him. He has such quality there.[LNB] 'Is he irreplaceable? I don't think, for one minute, we will findanother like him. A player with different attributes, perhaps, but notanother like Stevie.'[LNB] VIDEO SPECIAL: As Steven Gerrard hits 500 games for Liverpool, Sportsmail looks back at his greatest momentsGlen Johnson says Liverpool's defence is the key to finishing in Premier League's top four ALL THE WEEKEND BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS Benitez praises Ngog for emerging from the shadow of Liverpool star TorresWIN... Champions League tickets to Liverpool v Fiorentina at AnfieldLiverpool can't win it, says Gerrard: But 'Scouser' Torres promises to stay loyalLIVERPOOL FC
