Rafa tips Gerrard for Reds job

Liverpool boss hails skipper

Last updated: 21st November 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Rafa tips Gerrard for Reds job

Benitez: Backing Gerrard

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Rafa Benitez has backed Steven Gerrard to take over from him as Liverpool manager.

Gerrard, who will miss Saturday's game against Fulham with the groin injury that kept him out for England, made his Reds debut ten years ago.

The midfielder wants to finish his career at Anfield and has expressed an interest in taking his coaching badges.

Benitez believes Gerrard would be an ideal candidate to one day replace him as boss, but does not expect the 28-year-old to hang up his boots for some time.

The Spaniard said: "Maybe he will be here for another 10 years, certainly five or six. It is not easy to stay with one club. Life in general is very different than before, clubs can offer a lot of money.

"I am really pleased to have kept Gerrard here, and maybe he will one day be the manager to replace me.

"There are more important things than money in Steven's mind. He has great passion for the club, he loves the club and the city.

"That is the key as far as he is concerned, and hopefully he will take over from me."

No problem

Liverpool were reportedly furious when Gerrard was asked to report for England duty earlier this week to prove that he was not fit.

However, Benitez has refused to be drawn into a row with England boss Fabio Capello.

Quizzed on Capello's motives, Benitez said: "It is simple. He is not fit and he cannot play. Maybe he'll be ready for Marseille.

"We know the rules and respect them. But I prefer now not to think of this because there are no more internationals for a while.

"But we were right. Gerrard cannot play, so we were right when we said he was injured.

"It is too soon to say how long Steven will be out. But if we have an extra day of treatment, maybe he will be ready for the Champions League.

"There's no problem between me and Fabio Capello, I am not unhappy with him. But the best news now is that there are no internationals until March.

"Were we unhappy that Steven had to go to the England hotel? All I can say is that he is not fit and will not play for us against Fulham."