Liverpool Football Club News

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Rafa explains Gerrard role

13 Sep 2006 - 08:57:36

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has defended his decision to leave skipper Steven Gerrard on the bench for the 0-0 Champions League draw at PSV Eindhoven.

Gerrard eventually came on 18 minutes from time and almost won the game, hitting the post late on with a superb right-foot effort.

However, Benitez was content that he had made the right choice in leaving his captain out of the starting eleven.

He said: "Steven was on the bench as were several other senior players, Xabi Alonso, Peter Crouch, Sami Hyypia, but people only mention Gerrard.

"We must accept that nobody can play at 100 per cent for every match, it was a very difficult game against Everton and you can see that the players who were involved for all that game were on the bench.

"If you are not 100 per cent fit and ready then you will be rested like that. It will happen to different players.

"Gerrard came on at the right time, we had needed to cover and work to stop their penetrating passes and that is why Momo Sissoko started. He has fantastic stamina, better than Alonso or Gerrard can reach.

"We were intent on a clean sheet after that happened on Saturday and we defended well and created enough chances to have won the match."