Benitez hopeful over Gerrard

Rafa backs Reds to hit top form soon

Last updated: 3rd September 2008

Benitez Rafa

Benitez: Hopeful over Gerrard

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez is confident Steven Gerrard will be fit to face Manchester United later this month.

Gerrard is recovering from a groin operation which has ruled him out of England's World Cup qualifiers with Andorra and Croatia.

The injury is expected to sideline Gerrard for up to 15 days leaving him with a race against time to be fit for the crucial Premier League clash with arch-rivals United on 13th September.

However, Benitez says the Reds skipper is making good progress on his recovery and is hopeful he will be back in time for the Anfield meeting.

"Steven is okay. He's started with bicycle work and will start jogging, so I think he will be ready soon," Benitez told the club's official website.

Benitez also expects his side to find their best form soon after failing to convince in their opening fixtures so far this season.

September is a big month for Liverpool with the UEFA Champions League starting and games against rivals United and Everton and Benitez believes the side will be better prepared for those challenges.

"Javier Mascherano, Lucas and (Ryan) Babel arrived late and I am sure that in a few weeks' time it will be better," added Benitez.

"We need to have better possession and work on having a higher tempo."

Challenge

Meanwhile, Benitez has challenged Daniel Agger to win the battle for a place in the starting XI.

Agger has not started since the first leg of the Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege and Benitez says the Dane must work hard to establish himself in the side.

"Martin Skrtel is a good centre-back, Jamie Carragher is very consistent and Sami Hyypia is a good option also, so Daniel needs to work hard if he wants to play and he knows that," noted Benitez.

"We want two players for each position but Daniel has a very good mentality and he will be ready."