Rafa eyes Gerrard improvements

Spaniard expecting Reds captain to lead stuttering side

Last updated: 24th December 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa eyes Gerrard improvements

Gerrard: Struggling for form

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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is expecting to see improvements from Steven Gerrard over the festive period.

The 29-year-old has struggled to perform at his highest level this season, due in part to a series of niggling injury problems, and that dip in form has coincided with the Reds' much-publicised fall from grace.

The Anfield club have won just four of their last 17 matches and currently sit eighth in the Premier League table, eight points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa.

Benitez has spoken with his captain over the club's current predicament and is confident he will soon be firing on all cylinders once again.

"Steven knows that he has to improve but that for me is very positive," Benitez said.

"He knows he is a very important player for us and we were analysing his statistics and he is doing much better.

"In the last game he wasn't at his level but that can happen in one game. He knows he is improving physically and the main thing now is confidence.

"I was talking with him this week about how to improve. He wants to give more.

"I am 100 per cent that he wants to give more. He is the captain and he is very important for the team and the club. He is someone who is pushing now and wants to improve."