Rafa Benitez: Playing in the FA Cup is the best thing for Steven Gerrard
Published 00:00 03/01/09 By By David Anderson
Steven Gerrard faces Preston today because Rafa Benitez claims playing him is the best way to help his skipper.
The Liverpool boss pledged Gerrard his unstinting support in a heart-to-heart with the England star and accepts his version of events in the alleged brawl at a Southport bar in the early hours of Monday morning.
Benitez has been assessing Gerrard closely in training and trusts him not to let his great form be affected by his assault and affray charge.
"I was talking with him and the lawyers after the problem and he explained everything to me," said Benitez. "That's the reason why I say I support him 100 per cent and trust him. It's very, very clear he was involved in a situation, which, OK, was not normal, but he's a nice lad and very professional.
"He was training normally and he wants to play and I thought it would be the best thing to play him. It will be easier for him if he can focus on football.
"Hopefully he will play as well as before, score some more goals and people will just talk about the game."
Benitez believes it is important to maintain the momentum generated by the 5-1 demolition of Newcastle on Sunday.
"I've picked Stevie because he is playing well," said the Kop boss.
"He's not had too many games because he has been injured at different times this season.
"It will be a strong team because we want to try and keep the momentum of the team going. We have plenty of time to recover."
Preston striker Neil Mellor has warned Gerrard he will be a marked man today and is determined to hunt him down - but only to swap shirts at the final whistle.
The former Liverpool hitman said: "I've had people asking for all sorts going into the game from tickets to Gerrard's shirt and even Rafa's coat!" he said.
"I'll have to get as close as I can to Steven at the final whistle."
