Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez says there is no problem with Fabio Capello over Steven Gerrard's injury.

Gerrard has been ruled out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Andorra and Croatia next month as he requires a minor groin operation.

Reports have suggested Capello was unhappy with Liverpool for sending Gerrard under the knife after he played in their UEFA Champions League qualifier with Stadard Liege in midweek.

Benitez revealed he had positive discussions with Capello about Gerrard and he is hopeful his skipper will be back in time for the big Premier League clash with Manchester United on 13th September.

Positive

"Steven Gerrard has had the operation, it was not serious but he will not be available until after the international break," noted Benitez.

"I have spoken today to Fabio Capello about the situation, he asked me how Steven was and it was a good conversation.

"Everything was positive between us and I have explained to him the timing and when he will be fit.

"We had no option but to have the operation done now, there will be another international break soon anyway, and we could not wait any longer.

"The player had problems and we needed to do it straight away, we had no choice. Fabio Capello understands this."

However, Benitez admits he may have more problems smoothing relations with Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill ahead of Liverpool's trip to Villa Park this weekend.

The pair became embroiled in a war of words during the drawn-out saga of Gareth Barry's proposed move to Liverpool.

Barry has pledged his immediate future to Villa in a bid to end the saga and Benitez says he will have no problem shaking hands with O'Neill, even though he concedes the pair do not enjoy a good relationship with each other.

"I do not know what response I will get on Sunday (from Villa fans) but I will be only concentrating on what goes on out on the pitch.

"I do not want to say too much, I do not want to analyse too much what has gone on before because we cannot change things now.

"I am now only concerned with how to beat Villa and how to control Barry on the pitch.

Handshake

"Do I have a good relationship with Martin O'Neill?... I don't think so. But of course I will shake his hand, I am a calm man and I do not have any problems with him about that."

He added: "I had a good relationship with Martin O'Neill before this summer, and I was surprised at what has been said but I insist that I have not spoken to him since April.

"But I do not believe there will be any problem shaking hands, we can do it.

"We know that Barry is a good player, very good for them. We will try to contain him on the pitch and not talk too much about other things that have happened in the summer.

"It is important that we all concentrate on football. But I expect Barry to do his best for his team."