Benitez Happy To Unleash Gerrard
Rafael Benitez wants the local passion of Steven Gerrard to drive Liverpool to Merseyside derby glory on Saturday, insisting his skipper is "indestructible."
And that is even though the Liverpool manager admitted he substituted Gerrard last season at Goodison Park because he was "showing too much passion".
Now Benitez expects to see Gerrard show a more mature approach to the 208th showdown between Liverpool and Everton, and to cap his display with the 100th goal of his Anfield career.
A Liverpool victory would not only extend their record of losing only two of their last 10 derby visits to Goodison, but also equal their best-ever Premier League start to a season after six games.
And Benitez knows Gerrard will be the key to maintaining the club's unbeaten start to the campaign.
He said: "It was a pity that Steven was denied his 100th goal for Liverpool against Stoke, but that I am sure will only motivate him more to score against Everton.
"Especially in a derby, it would be fantastic for him to get that goal, and I believe he can.
"He is always important to us. But more so in these type of games when local players are involved. Everyone knows he is key to us, and in this game more so.
"He can change games, win games and if he is not playing well he can still score and win matches for us.
"If he is playing well he is indestructible. He has the mentality and passion for these games and he is important to all the other players."
Liverpool completed the double over Everton last season, and have lost only two of their last 17 meetings with their neighbours.
But Benitez is looking beyond this local skirmish as he hopes Liverpool can continue to improve.
He said: "We have started the season well. We are improving, but only at 60 per cent of our potential at the moment. If we keep improving we will get closer to what we want.
"I know that last season at Goodison Park I took Steven off because maybe he was playing with too much passion. At that point we needed to keep possession against 10 men, we needed to keep control.
"That was the idea. And it was Lucas - who came on and was calmer and more relaxed - who was able to create our winner. That was an important decision for the team, something I had to do. Maybe this time it will be Steven who wins the game for us."
He added: "You have to control your passion to win the game, to control yourself physically as well as mentally.
"The game is similar to when we play Manchester United. But then we know it is against one of the top teams and we are competing to be at the top of the table.
"With Everton it is all about us being neighbours, the games are similar, but not the same.
"As for Steven, he is one of four or five local players involved. They all understand and want to show their passion on the pitch, they want to give something back to the fans."
While Gerrard is aiming for his century of goals for the club, new signing Robbie Keane is still searching for his first after nine appearances.
Benitez said: "We are not worried about Robbie not having scored yet for us. He has a good record against Everton, so it would be just perfect for Gerrard to score his 100th in this game and for Robbie to break his duck.
"I have very good memories of our double over them last season, it was exciting for me and for the fans.
"But always we only want to win, whoever it is against. We want this three points to put us top of the table but I realise that this is special for the fans."
Referee Mike Riley can expect a busy afternoon. There have been seven red cards in the last seven meetings between the clubs and 16 in 32 Premier League clashes.
Benitez added: "There have been a lot of red cards in these games, and that is because players are under pressure. But the longer it goes on, these players mature and are able to handle the situation better.
"I only enjoy it if we win. Beforehand and during the match it can be very difficult.
"You can see that with the way people talk to you around the city in the build-up. All week I have had fans, from an old woman to young children, all calling out to me to say how much they want us to win." |
發表於 2008-9-27 01:33 AM
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