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Benitez defence for Gerrard
Reds boss also tells Whelan to mind his own business
Last updated: 10th March 2010 
Gerrard: Under-fire
Sometimes you move your fingers. It was nothing. We are not considering it, it was nothing
Rafa Benitez on Steven Gerrard
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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez does not believe Steven Gerrard was guilty of an alleged V-sign towards referee Andre Marriner during the defeat to Wigan.
The Reds captain was booked in the 81st minute of Monday's game at the DW Stadium and appeared to gesture and mouth an obscenity in the direction of the match official.
It was reported that the Football Association was set to investigate the incident, but Benitez, who claimed after the final whistle that he had not seen the incident, does not think that Gerrard has a case to answer.
The under-fire Reds boss said of his captain: "Sometimes you move your fingers. It was nothing. We are not considering it, it was nothing.
"All the players know they have to behave on the pitch. I was more worried about the silly fouls we were giving to Wigan."
Highly critical
Dave Whelan was highly critical of Liverpool and the ownership of the club following Monday's match and Benitez has angrily indicated that the Wigan chairman should mind his own business.
He said: "I do not know what is going on. I do not talk about Wigan. I prefer to concentrate on my team. He (Whelan) should talk about his own club."
Benitez is glad Liverpool have an opportunity to get back to winning ways quickly as they travel to Lille in the Europa League on Thursday.
He said: "We had been working well in the last 10 games, more or less. Sometimes these things happen. Now we have to move forward.
"Hopefully there will be a reaction in Lille. This is an opportunity to put things right and try to get a good result.
"In football you sometimes prefer to rest but at this time it is good to have a match quickly after what happened at Wigan."
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Comments (10)
Chris Thompson (Newcastle United fan) says...
It could be interpreted any way, like Rafa's "Game Over" sign against Blackburn last season (which I didnt think it was). However, Rafa needs to learn that if he is going to talk about other teams (Blackburn tactics) that other clubs reserve the right to talk about him. Also, I agree with Jamie Coleman, Gerrard has been believing his own hype for 2 or 3 seasons now and isnt half the player I once admired and tried to base my game on. It's as if his heart isn't in it anymore - maybe he wants a change of scenery.
Posted 14:43 10th March 2010
Benjamin Lappin (Manchester United fan) says...
Benitez attacking Whelan for commenting on the affairs at Liverpool?? Isn't this the same Benitez that deemed it fit to make snide remarks about Blackburn and the way they play?
Posted 13:47 10th March 2010
David Brook (Leeds United fan) says...
Mr Benitez reading the same instruction manual as Mr Wenger shame he cant get his team to play as good !!
Posted 13:25 10th March 2010
Stephen Cooper (Liverpool fan) says...
"We had been working well in the last 10 games, more or less" Rafa is surely on a retreat from reality. The last 10 games have been awful - not more but definately less - a great deal less!
Posted 13:15 10th March 2010
Jamie Coleman (Aston Villa fan) says...
Who does he think he is. I used to love watching Gerrard play but because the press are all over him all the time, he thinks he owns the world. Grow up.
Posted 13:01 10th March 2010
James Hard (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
In defence to Stevie i do not believe he showed the v-sign to the ref, yes he clearly said the words but rooney always does this and nothing ever gets said (clearly cause he plays for united and mr fergie so that explains why) Gerrard said the words and threw his hand in the air, i dont think he put his fingers up. Dont worry Stevie! Your the man to bring the World Cup home!
Posted 12:55 10th March 2010
Ben Jones says...
What planet is Benitez on? Gerrard clearly makes a nonchalent V gesture while mouthing the words F*** off. Stop defending your team Benitez and realise you are not good enough to lead them
Posted 12:44 10th March 2010
Mark Williams (Chelsea fan) says...
A fine example to set, and Liverpool fans here think he would be a roll model as England captain. He is a has been as best
Posted 12:27 10th March 2010
Mike Ogden (Liverpool fan) says...
Oh come on! How ridiculous is our game getting when an alleged two fingers are shown to a referee. How many matches do we watch on tv where we can quite plainly see the foul and abusive language used by players towards officials and nothing's said or done? The Laws state that any foul or abusive language, directed towards either oppostion, own team members or officials shall be dealt a straight red card. So why didn't the referee, if he thought SG was using foul or abusive language or jestures just give him a red card? Either at the time on the pitch or even after the match had finished? I have no doubt that this is just another stupid and irritating show of ineptitude by those who govern our league in this country. They all ought to retire and let some new and younger blood run our national game. Perhaps then we'll see less bullying tactics and more support for all our footballers in this country.
Posted 12:12 10th March 2010
Michael Keohane (Manchester City fan) says...
To be honest i've only just seen the photo and it's not a v sign. Gerrard is clearly indicating that it's only his 2nd offence. I'm a Man city fan so i have no need to defend a liverpool player's actions anyway. The incident is nothing. Then again if you're Gary Neville it makes no difference whether you mean it or not!
Posted 11:55 10th March 2010