Rafa Benitez has welcomed the return to form of Steven Gerrard but
has told his Liverpool captain not to get too settled in central
midfield.
The England midfielder was dropped back to a more orthodox
position against Sunderland on Sunday and responded with an
improved personal display in the 3-0 win.
For a long time critics have been urging Benitez to deploy
Gerrard in what they feel is his best position but the manager said
what was more important was the overall game plan.
"I remember discussions with England about Gerrard and Frank
Lampard not being able to play in the middle but they can," said
the Reds boss ahead of their Europa League quarter-final trip to
play Benfica in Lisbon.
"He can play everywhere because he knows what to do in every
position.
"He was keen to do the best for the team and the best for the
team the other day was for him to play in this role with Javier
Mascherano.
"For me it is not the player and the system but altogether.
"In the last year with the same system we were quite
offensive and this year we have scored a lot of goals, especially
at Anfield, with the same system.
"It has been Lucas-Mascherano, Lucas-Aquilani, Lucas-Gerrard,
Mascherano-Aquilani - we can mix and match.
"It gives us more options."
Benitez said he was still waiting for winger Albert Riera to
finalise a proposed loan move to Spartak Moscow.
The Spain international has found himself marginalised from
the squad after his "sinking ship" outburst earlier this month and
Benitez is keen for the player to be moved on.
"He is still talking. He is talking with Spartak," he added.
"He is training sometimes but now we have to wait and now we
have games in the week we have to keep the players who are normally
involved."
Defender Martin Kelly is awaiting a doctor's decision to
learn whether he will require a knee operation.
The youngster tore the meniscus in training at the weekend
and is likely to be out for the rest of the season.
