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Steven Gerrard is confident Liverpool have the mentality to reach another Champions League final and has warned Chelsea that the Reds will do whatever it takes to make sure they are in Moscow on May 21.
The Reds skipper believes his side can get the right result to take Stamford Bridge when they face the Blues in the first-leg at Anfield tonight, and insists their never-say-die spirit will see them travel to London hopeful of progressing - even if they don't secure an advantage this evening.

"I personally have a hell of a lot of confidence in us going out there and doing what it takes to get to another final," said Gerrard.

"We know what will make for a good result in front of our own fans to take to London next week. We know what is required to get us to Moscow in May.

"It's not rocket science really. We want a clean sheet and a lead. One goal would be magnificent, a couple would be something else. But even if we don't get that, that doesn't make us underdogs because this team never knows when it is beaten."

Liverpool produced the comeback of all comebacks when they won the trophy against AC Milan back in 2005 and Gerrard feels it is that experience and spirit in adversity that could see them lift what he feels is the biggest trophy in the game, once again.

"Some teams wilt and chuck it when the going get tough. That’s not the case with us," he said.

"We'll battle and scrap and believe in our ability to do whatever it takes. It's the biggest trophy there is and we want it. I don't think there is a player, manager or supporter of any team in Europe who wouldn't say it is the pinnacle of football.

"That is why we are desperate to win it and why our fans are too. They will give us a boost again because there aren't many places in the world that have such an intimidating atmosphere as Anfield, that have such an effect on visiting teams and that's a fact."

The Reds have already beaten Chelsea on two previous Champions League semi-final occasions and despite the fact they will have to face a second leg at Stamford Bridge this time around, Gerrard is confident Rafael Benitez's men will have nothing to fear.

"Stamford Bridge is a big stadium, but it's got nothing of the aura that Anfield has and it certainly won't intimidate us in the slightest," said the midfielder. "If we have to go there and finish the job then we believe we will.

"We need to be brave, bold and clinical and if we do that, we can start thinking of Moscow. Chelsea will be wary of us and what we’re capable of.

"They'll have seen the Arsenal game and be in no doubt of the size of the task ahead."

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Rafa Benitez has warned his players they will have to be patient to prevail in what has become one of the cagiest encounters in football.
The Anfield boss expects a similar clash to the 2005 and 2007 semi-finals against Chelsea, when just three goals were scored over 390 minutes.

He said: "We are playing well at home and away but Chelsea are strong defensively. It will be difficult. We have been talking today and yesterday about how we must do our job, play well and be patient. We spoke about patience against Inter Milan and in that game we scored two goals in the last five minutes.

"We must play well and, if possible, keep the ball. We must not make mistakes and must control the game.

"These kind of games against two top sides at this level, it's the small details that make the difference. I always say it but it's true. The difference is key players in key moments.

"Our supporters are very clever, they know it will be difficult at Stamford Bridge, so they know how important it is to be behind us tonight."

While Benitez expects a sense of déjà vu tonight, one difference this time round is the fact the second leg is at Stanford Bridge.

Though admitting it gives Chelsea an advantage, the Spaniard points to another new factor which could prove crucial – Fernando Torres.

He said: "We have some experience of difficult away games. People were talking about needing to win in Marseille and in the end we scored four goals.

"We have the quality to score in any stadium.

"The players know that, even if they are not playing well, we have players who can score goals. The team is playing well and we have confidence because we know Torres can create something."

Much has been made of the difference in managerial styles between Avram Grant and predecessor Jose Mourinho.

For Benitez though, little has changed in terms of the task facing his players.

He said: "They are a good team. They are very good, well organised, balanced, good in attack and defence, and good at set pieces and counter-attack.

"So, more or less they are the same as before. I don't need to analyse the style of one manager or the other. The players and the team are more or less the same. They were in the final of the Carling Cup, are in the race for the title and have got to the semi-final of the Champions League, so they are in a good position."

Sorry i've not been on for awhile but i've been in hospital again. I'm ok now so let get back to te posts.

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Steven Gerrard thinks Liverpool can benefit from Arsenal's renewed title-hopes when the two sides go head-to-head in the Champions League.
At one point last weekend it looked as if the Gunners were out of the chase having fallen 2-0 behind at Bolton with a man sent off.

However, Arsene Wenger's men completed a remarkable comeback to win 3-2 and leave themselves just six points behind leaders Man Utd.

Gerrard thinks the result can help Liverpool ahead of Wednesday's quarter-final first leg.

"If Arsenal hadn't beaten Bolton, maybe they'd have only had one thing to play for this season and that could have made it more difficult for us," said the Reds captain.

"But with them still having half a chance in the league, maybe that could distract them a bit.

"Before the draw was made, we'd have been looking to get a team from Europe rather than another from the Premier League.

"But you get what you are given and to win the European Cup you have to beat the best.

"When we won it in 2005, we had to beat all the best teams to win it and I'm sure we're going to have to do that again if we want to win it this season."

Liverpool were knocked out of both the League Cup and FA Cup by Wenger's men last season and have yet to win at Arsenal during Rafa Benitez's tenure.

But, having reached two of the last three Champions League finals, Gerrard insists he and his teammates have the confidence to progress.

"We're a good side in Europe and we're always confident no matter who we come up against that we are going to qualify," he said.

"I think the other teams are more worried about us because we've proved in the last two or three years that we're one of the best teams in the competition.

"We've got nothing to fear. We just need to go there and give it our best shot."

Sandwiched between this week's first leg and the return at Anfield is Saturday's league clash at the Emirates.

Gerrard added: "The Champions League games against Arsenal are going to be different to the league game we have there.

"We found the Champions League games we had against Chelsea were different to the Premier League games, with it being a cup competition and not for three points.

"But we know we are in for two really tough games."

Liverpool go into the game in confident mood after opening up a five-point gap on Everton in the race for fourth with victory over their neighbours on Sunday.

"It had been a difficult week, having to swallow the defeat we had at Manchester United," said Gerrard. "But Sunday was all about bouncing back and making sure we could take a positive into Wednesday's game at Arsenal.

"After a big derby win the fans are happy and the players are happy. We know it will be a really tough game on Wednesday but now we will be going into the game with confidence.

"Our aim now is to consolidate this fourth position and go all the way to Moscow. That's our focus."

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Arsenal will be worried about how to stop goal machine Fernando Torres, according to Reds boss Rafa Benitez.
El Nino has so far amassed 28 goals in his debut season, including four in the Champions League.

Now Benitez is backing him to fire Liverpool past Arsenal and into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

"Arsenal will know that Torres is on fire and is scoring goals and will be a problem for them," Benitez told a press conference at Melwood.

"Fernando also knows that if we play well he will score goals, so he will work hard for the team. As this is a European competition he wants to play well and score goals.

"He has a great mentality and is very competitive, but against the top sides he must be focused and have confidence in himself because against the best defenders it will be more difficult."

Torres is not only bearing down on Anfield's goalscoring records, he's also out-stripping anything he achieved during his time with Atletico Madrid.

Benitez puts this down to Liverpool's formation.

"In Spain he was playing on his own up front. He was going to wide areas and was working hard to receive the ball and go against defenders," he said.

"Here he has Steven Gerrard, Ryan Babel and Dirk Kuyt behind him, so he can play higher. That is the reason why he has scored more goals."

Meanwhile, Benitez has confirmed Javier Mascherano will start at the Emirates on Wednesday after his league suspension.

He said: "Javier will be available for the first leg, he will start this game.

"He was playing well before the suspension and there is no doubt he will be important for us at Arsenal."

Either Alvaro Arbeloa or Fabio Aurelio also looks set to return after both were rested for the Merseyside derby.

Benitez said: "We wanted to protect one of them, but I will not make that decision public at the moment."

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Liverpool have moved five points clear of Everton in the race for Champions League qualification after a 1-0 win in the 207th Merseyside derby.

Fernando Torres bagged his 28th goal of the season to secure victory and put the Reds firmly in control with six games remaining.

The result, which makes it eight victories in nine, also sends Rafa Benitez and his squad to the Emirates with confidence firmly restored following defeat at Old Trafford seven days ago.

Benitez was asked at Friday's pre-match press conference whether he'd rest players today ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg. Unsurprisingly, the journalist was given short shrift.

The race for fourth is clearly as important to Liverpool's future as progression in this season's Anglo-European Cup, so it was no surprise to see El Nino line up ahead of Steven Gerrard in a 4-2-3-1 formation which, until last Sunday, had yielded seven straight victories.

The only big-name absentee was Javier Mascherano, who is still waiting to hear whether his one-match suspension following last weekend's red card will be extended.

The match began amid the usual banter between both sets of supporters. The Kop spent the opening minutes reminding their city cousins they're 'not Scousers anymore' due to the Toffees' proposed relocation to Kirby.

It wasn't long before the Reds were on top on the pitch, too. Seven minutes, in fact. That's how long it took Torres to get Liverpool's 100th goal of the campaign.

The chance came after Xabi Alonso robbed Yakubu on the edge of the visitors' box before a Dirk Kuyt touch sent his strike partner through. Tim Howard made himself big but Torres gave him no chance with a cool finish into the bottom corner.

The number nine has now scored in six consecutive home games, a club record he shares with Fred Pagnam (1919), Roger Hunt (1964), Ian Rush (1983) and Michael Owen (1999).

Next he turned creator, leaving Joseph Yobo dizzy with his footwork before teeing up Kuyt. It wasn't an easy take for the Dutch international, but he eventually managed to get a shot in only for Tony Hibbert to throw his body in the way.

Kuyt might have got his head on a dangerous corner from the skipper minutes later but, with the net gaping, the ball evaded him by inches.

By this stage, Everton officials sitting in the press box were commenting that it seemed as if Liverpool had more men on the pitch. Their side's frustrations were certainly starting to show. Howard Webb, a referee who chooses common sense over pedantry, was forced to book both visiting central midfielders for rash challenges inside 20 minutes.

It should have been 2-0 on 28 minutes when the recalled John Arne Riise flew down the left before crossing towards Ryan Babel. The winger's concentration just seemed to slip momentarily, however, and the chance was gone.

The second very nearly did come six minutes before the break when Gerrard, who'd just delighted the majority of Anfield with a chainsaw of a tackle on centre-back Phil Jagielka, smashed a 25-yard volley against the post.

A satisfying first half, then, with perhaps the only gripe being Liverpool's failure to make dominance count beyond the opener.

David Moyes brought on Yakubu, Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar for the second half. At least, that's what anyone not watching the first closely might have thought, the trio proving totally ineffectual in the opening 45.

'The Yak', who Jamie Carragher described as one of the Premier League's best finishers in the matchday programme, even got a shot in on 50 minutes, though the whistle had already gone for an indiscretion.

Leon Osman was next to threaten with a smart header from Arteta's in-swinging free-kick. Thankfully, it hit the Kop hoardings, though the visitors were starting to get foothold in the game.

It took an expertly-timed tackle from Sami Hyypia to thwart Yakubu in the box on the hour mark.

At the other end, Lucas had a decent hit blocked by Yobo, though chances seemed harder to come by as Everton pushed for an equaliser.

Moyes again tried shuffling his pack, Leighton Baines replacing Phil Neville, who snatched his tracksuit top in anger as he made his way off to rapturous boos.

If anything, the changed put a stop on the Toffees as an attacking force, with the only other chance of note falling to Kuyt, whose 20 yard curler was deflected narrowly wide by Fernandes.

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Kop hero Jimmy Case believes Liverpool have the edge over their Merseyside rivals Everton and has singled out derby debutant Fernando Torres as the key man for the Reds on Sunday.
The Reds legend played in many derby games during his illustrious career at Anfield and he said Everton's defenders will not be relishing the prospect of facing the 27 goal striker.

"The derby is always very special and this is a big game with fourth place up for grabs," Case told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"The key man for me will be Torres. He always gives Liverpool the edge every time he plays. He is a superb player and the way he gives them an extra dimension with his pace and forward running and once he sets off in his stride running at the opposition he is so difficult to catch.

"Liverpool have got such a hectic programme at the programme and it doesn't get much bigger than playing Manchester United last week and then follow it up with games against Everton and Arsenal.

"Sunday's derby itself takes on a little bit of extra dimension with both teams wanting that fourth spot.

"I think Liverpool can do it and I am backing my former club to win the derby because they will have a reaction to that disappointing defeat at Manchester United. We have got to stand up and be counted in the derby and every player will have to play to their full potential.

"It's disappointing that Javier Mascherano can't play in this game and I think it's a big loss because he has been playing really well. He has been in great form and would be relishing a game like this.

"Everton have got problems too though and they will miss the injured Tim Cahill. He is the one that you wouldn't want to play against because he has this ability to come up with a goal and ghost into good positions. He is a big loss to Everton.

"We have just got to look after ourselves and win the game. It would be a good position for us to have a five point lead over them but there is still a lot to be done before we secure that fourth spot.

"Everton have come on a lot this season and their league position says it all. There could still be some twists and turns but for me Liverpool are the better side and have more strength in depth."

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Rafa Benitez has revealed that Javier Mascherano has been fined by the club following his sending off at Old Trafford last weekend.
To watch the press conference click here>>

The Argentina international today admitted an FA charge of improper conduct, which was one of the key issues discussed at this afternoon's pre-match press conference at Melwood.

Here's what Benitez told reporters in full:

Rafa, I understand Javier Mascherano has admitted his misconduct charge. Can you tell us any more?

We were talking and the player has apologised for his reaction after the sending off. He knew after the game he made a mistake, it's clear. Now we are waiting for the hearing.

How worried are you that he could face a bit of a spell out now?

Mascherano is a fantastic professional and the club has no red cards this season. It was a special situation, everyone was surprised but he knows. We have fined the player and he accepted that and asked for it to go to charity.

Players like Adebayor have been given a one-match ban for similar incidents – is that a precedent?

Yes, we know the situation with other players and the lawyers are working. Now we have to wait.

Are you worried that other referees could now follow the example of Steve Bennett, especially in a derby when passions run high?

I don't think so. People talk about the number of red and yellow cards in a derby but the players know how to do things. They know they must fight and tackle but they know they have to do things properly. I don't think we will have big problems.

Have you had to speak to your players?

Not really, because like I say we have a fantastic disciplinary record this season. We just have to approach the game in the same way as the previous games. Always I say the same: try to play with your heart and your head.

I wondered if you'd spoken to Steven Gerrard and told him to keep an eye on the players on the pitch?

No, I don't think we need to change many things. The behaviour of the team through the whole season has been really good.

Is self-control the key, because we saw Everton's passions maybe got the better of them last time and maybe they felt a few decisions went against them?

I don't agree that the decisions went against them. If you analyse the whole game you can talk about every decision for a long time. Maybe people were thinking these things because the decisions happened at the end of the game.

But that is what they felt at the time...

Yes, we felt the opposite.

Is the key, then, retaining self-control for 90 minutes?

The key and the message for everyone is to try to support the team, and to try to be good professionals.

Last time you took Steven Gerrard off because you felt he was using too much passion...

You know when you have a local player in a derby it's sometimes more difficult. When you have a player with quality, it's really important they use this quality. With Steven Gerrard, he has quality and passion, and if he can use both it's much better for him and the team.

Will this game decide who finishes fourth?

No, I don't think so. We will need to keep winning games if we want to be sure of finishing in the top four.

Five points would be a nice cushion, though...

Yes, it would be a good advantage but we have some important games, especially away, so we'll need to keep working hard until the end.

David Moyes has indicated there is less pressure on Everton because fifth place would still be a massive achievement for them. Is the pressure on you this weekend?

It's normal for a game like this for some managers to say things like this.

Who is the pressure on?

All of us want to win. They want to win, we want to win.

Do you enjoy derbies, Rafa?

I enjoy the big games, especially if we win. We prepare every game by analysing everything, but you know in a derby that small details can be really important. I like to play these games – and I would like to play in these games, but I can't!

Is there a temptation to rest players ahead of Arsenal?

No.

How difficult is it to weigh up the situation with such a big Champions League game coming up?

It's difficult to talk about this because for the whole season we've been talking about changes and rotation, but this depends on the manager and whether you win or not. But anyway, we will try to put out a strong team and win. We know finishing in the top four is really important if we want to be in the Champions League next season.

Has the referee got to take into account how big an occasion this is?

Normally we don't talk about referees before the game, and afterwards we try not to say too much.

How is Fernando Torres? Will he be fit?

Yes, I think so. I don't know how to say it in English, but let's say Materazzi was giving him some gifts! But he is okay. He is fit and was training.

What about the England players?

Yes, they are okay. They have some knocks too but I think they will be okay. All the international players arrived back okay. Some of them were late but I think they will be okay.

There's talk around England that some players can't reproduce their club form at international level. Is that a fair criticism?

I don't know. I am concerned about the players in my team. If I don't talk about other managers and other teams, I will not talk about how they perform for the national teams.

Will what happened at Man Utd be added motivation this weekend?

I think we approached the game against United with a lot of confidence. We can't change the result and we are really disappointed, but the best thing for us is to be able to play a derby. We can be really focused because it's a fantastic game for the players. When you play against other teams, you never know if the players will be focused. But in this game you know.

Does one result like at Man Utd affect the confidence after the run you've been on?

No, I don't think so. The team has confidence and we have a lot of confidence.

What do you make of what Everton have done this season? Are they getting closer to Liverpool?

In terms of points they are having a good season, it's true.

Is it the kind of rivalry you welcome when two teams from the same city are doing well?

No, I prefer to be top of the table.

What did you make of the comments by George Gillett today?

The chief press officer told me but I am really, really focused on the derby.

Any further team news?

No, the rest of the squad is fit. Agger is out and Kewell picked up an injury, but I don't think that will be serious.

How long is Harry likely to be out?

We don't know exactly. He is coming back and we will see with the doctor.

Are you disappointed with that?

Yes, the international breaks are never good for managers.

Are his chances of getting a new contract diminishing?

He has to work hard in every training session.

Do you think the derby game has changed over the years?

I think any game in football is difficult, especially a derby. If you want to win a derby you need to work really hard until the last minute. Two or three years ago we were down to 10 men but could still have scored more goals. Anything can happen in a derby.

The make up of the teams, though, there's fewer locals lads...

We have some local players with passion and maybe they can transmit that to the other players. But the foreign players like Skrtel and Torres, maybe before the game they will prepare as normal, but in the game they will feel something.

Javier Mascherano was really fired up last Sunday. How much are you going to miss his intensity in this game?

Everybody knows he was playing really well. Maybe we will miss the player but we have enough quality in the squad and will try to manage.

Where does this game rank among the massive games you've played since you arrived?

If you play a final, that's the most important game. But a derby is just below a final.

What is your comment on all the things going on off the pitch at the club?

If we win against Everton, everyone will be happy.

The Barcelona manager's job – you've been linked to it. Michael Laudrup has also. Do you think he is a candidate?

I think Rijkaard is a fantastic manager who is doing a very good job.

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Rafael Benitez today admitted he will seek talks with referees chief Keith Hackett following Javier Mascherano's red card at Old Trafford.
Mascherano will serve an automatic one match ban for his dismissal on Sunday - ruling him out of this weekend's Merseyside derby - but he could face an even longer spell on the sidelines if the FA hit him with a further suspension.

Benitez made no secret of his disappointment over Steve Bennett's decision to send Mascherano off for dissent at the weekend, and he's now keen to enter into a dialogue with Hackett to find a 'solution' to the problems which occurred in Manchester.

He said: "I would like to speak to Keith Hackett because it is important that we find a solution.

"At Liverpool, we respect the game, we respect the rules and we respect the referee, and it is important to remember that Mascherano was the first Liverpool player to be sent off in the league this season."

John Arne Riise, meanwhile, believes Bennett could have taken the heat out of the situation by speaking with Steven Gerrard before brandishing the red card at Mascherano.

He said: "I don't know what was said (between Mascherano and Bennett) but I feel that the referee should have called Steven Gerrard to him before this.

"Mascherano boiled over, but he will learn from this. He is an intense player who loves the club and loves to win, therefore he probably got a little too hot in that situation."

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Rafa Benitez insists he isn't devising a masterplan to stop 33-goal winger Cristiano Ronaldo during Sunday's north-west derby.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Anfield boss explained why he won't worry too much about the Portuguese star.

Here's what Benitez told reporters at Melwood about this and the week's other footballing issues in full.

The fans see this as the biggest game of the season, do you?

One of the biggest, I think so. We have important games coming up but the rivalry between these two sides means it is one of the most important.

How important is this game to your season?

It is a crucial time. If we win, we will be closer, then we can continue trying to win every game and get closer and closer. It will be really difficult to get closer to them, so we need to think about fourth position and the fight against Everton.

Are you still in the title race?

I am thinking about winning three points, nothing else.

But would a win on Sunday put you back in it?

I said before: if we win, we can be closer, and then maybe afterwards we can be more optimistic.

This 'Grand Slam Sunday' could really tighten things up in the top four, though?

Yes. It depends on the result – it could make it interesting for the rest of the season. We will try to do our job.

How much attention will you pay to the other game on Sunday, between Chelsea and Arsenal?

Not too much. We just need to think about our game. United are a very good team, so that's enough to think about.

And you have still to beat Man Utd in the league Rafa, haven't you?

Yes. We were really close in a lot of games but have sometimes had really bad luck, like conceding in the last minute after missing a lot of chances. But this is another opportunity.

Is stopping Ronaldo the key?

Maybe stopping Torres! No, they have a lot of good players, so it will be difficult if you just think about Ronaldo. We have to think about all of them.

With 33 goals already this season, is Ronaldo the best player in the world at the moment?

I think he's in form but Torres is too. The other day Ferguson was talking about referees having to protect Ronaldo. I think it's important to protect players like Torres, Ronaldo and all players with quality.

Jamie Carragher described Torres as the best striker in the world yesterday. Would you go along with that?

I think he's a very good striker. He's also very young - 24 today. He can improve but is playing very well, so we're really pleased with him.

How big an achievement is it to score 20 league goals in your first season?

It's always a fantastic achievement whether it's in the first, second or third season, but to do it in the first is really good for him because he's a new player who's had to settle down. I think he can continue improving and working hard, and that will be really good for the club.

Can you compare him to any Liverpool players from the past?

Everyone is talking about a lot of players but I think it is too soon. In football you need to wait some years, then you can say someone is a star. Now he is a very good player, a good prospect and he can get much better in the future.

At United the comparison is being made between Ronaldo and George Best, and there's a debate as to who is better. Do you have a view on that?

A good player 10 years ago could be good today, but football is different. The game is different physically and is much faster now. You can talk about one player being good or another, but in this case I think both are really, really good.

What do you put your recent run of good form down to?

I think we have enough confidence now to keep winning, but it will be a big test against United because they have a lot of good players. We have confidence, we are playing well and if we keep playing at the same level we don't need to fear anyone.

How much of a help has it been to Torres to have Steven Gerrard playing so well behind him?

It's always important to have an understanding between players, especially up front. We now have four offensive players playing well. The understanding between Gerrard and Torres is good and it's really difficult for teams to stop both.

Is their understanding something that comes naturally?

Yes, I think so. They trained for months and now they are always looking for one another. It's easier for them now because both are scoring goals – they are happy on the pitch.

And it's such an important period of the season for you now with five massive games back to back?

Yes, clearly. The derby against Everton will be an important game as well as the three games against Arsenal, so, as I say, it is a crucial time.

Are you just playing for that fourth spot with Everton or is there a sense you can go further than that?

You know my answer. We are trying to win the next three points and afterwards we will see the position in the table. You cannot count the points now, you have to wait until after the game.

And you'll need a strong referee on the day, won't you?

The referee has experience so I don't have any problems with that. Ferguson was talking before and now he's talking about Ronaldo. He's clever, he's trying to do his job, but the referee has experience and I think it will be good.

You mention needing the protection for Torres. Do you think that at times this season this hasn't been the case?

I don't want to talk just about Torres. The skilful players must be protected, that's clear. We need to help referees and I have always said the same: use the videos. It will then be easier for the referees because, after the game, if they haven't seen something and you then use the videos, the players will know there's a camera watching them.

What responsibility do the players have as well, because we saw another incident of descent last night involving Ashley Cole? Just when the FA is trying to encourage referees to stay in the game, we see another case like that...

The example set by the managers and players is really important. A lot of people watch the games, a lot of kids.

Are there any measures that can be implemented?

For me the video is really important. That will make it really easy because you could make mistakes during the game, but afterwards the game would still be analysed.

Good news this week, Rafa, in that Daniel Agger's operation was a success...

Yes, the operation was good, so the player is okay and happier now. He's thinking about next season, or maybe if everything is okay the end of this season. But a player that has been away for a long time, normally he will not be available.

What exactly was the problem?

He has a very small bone at the second metatarsal and you could see it at the scan.

How much of a distraction is this international break going to prove in between these massive games?

I think if you play important games it's understandable, but friendlies? It's something I will never understand. When you are playing in the Champions League, when you are playing for the title or for a place in Europe, you can't understand players travelling all around the world.

Avram Grant this week spoke of the virtues of John Terry for England captain, but what about Steven Gerrard?

He's my choice. Clearly he has shown he's a more mature player now. He knows the role, knows what to do.

What would he bring to the role for England?

He is a fantastic player, so on the pitch he is an example. Off the pitch he is more mature now and knows his responsibilities. I think he's a very good captain.

So it wouldn't interfere with anything here at Liverpool?

No.

Any team news, Rafa?

No, Agger is not fit but the rest of the squad is available.