Liverpool Football Club News

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Rafa stands up for Gerrard

29 Aug 2009 - 10:59:51

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that inspirational skipper Steven Gerrard has yet to hit top form in the opening games of the new season.

The Reds have lost two of their three Premier League games this term, with England midfielder Gerrard struggling to match the exacting standards he has set himself in recent campaigns.

Benitez said: "We have seen Steven playing really well for a while now. He is one of our big names, a key player. He will continue to be that.

"He will know that he has played a couple of games that are not up to his best level. But because he so often plays really well, people maybe can see the difference.

"I know he will be ready now. The players are not stupid, they know when they are not playing well and not up to their best standard. He knows, everybody knows here, that we have to improve.

"I was not naming any particular player when I was critical after the defeat by Aston Villa.

"But it is clear that everyone has to improve, we have analysed things and we have talked to all the players. The reaction from them has been very good.

"They have to show character and they have been working really hard during the week, because that is the only way to change things.

"We were so close last season to the title and now people are expecting us to win lots of games in a row. But the Premier League is very difficult.

"We have to forget our mistakes and try to improve quickly and try to play to the level we did last season."