Benitez puts Gerrard with greats for 'sacrificing' central role
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rafael Benitez placed Steven Gerrard in the exalted company of Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho yesterday, only to temper any pride the Liverpool captain took from such a prestigious honour by insisting that, like those greats of the modern game, he must continue to sacrifice himself for the good of the team.
Gerrard has started only one game in his favoured central midfield role for Liverpool this season, at home to West Ham in their only Premiership win so far.
Despite Liverpool's uncertain start Gerrard is only likely to revert to the middle against Newcastle at Anfield tonight if Benitez elects to spare Mohamed Sissoko from a fourth game in 12 days. However, the Liverpool manager has countered suggestions the 26-year-old will be become disgruntled with his rotation policy by comparing the midfielder's predicament to those faced by World Footballers of the Year past and present.
"We are not losing anything by moving Stevie around," Benitez insisted yesterday. "He has played for Liverpool for eight seasons and which was his best season? Last season, when he scored 23 goals playing mostly on the right. Zidane had to play a lot on the left even though he preferred to play in the middle and Ronaldinho, the best player in the world, would like to play behind the strikers but plays on the left with the freedom to go inside.
"I still think of Stevie as a central midfielder but, with [Jermaine] Pennant, [Xabi] Alonso and Sissoko, I have to find the balance. He has played the last three games for England on the right. Why? Because Steve McClaren needed balance."
With Harry Kewell expected to be absent for several more weeks with a foot injury the Liverpool manager is not prepared to give any assurances to Gerrard that he will return to central midfield long term.
"I promise you I'd like to play him in the middle but I cannot right now," Benitez said. "He would like to but he is the captain and must be an example for the rest of the players. If it is a risk then 23 goals a season is a risk I am prepared to take."
Kewell was diagnosed with gout before Australia's World Cup defeat to Italy but will have an exploratory operation later this week, having sought a second opinion in his homeland.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments