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Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is urging Steven Gerrard to use Sunday’s clash with Sunderland at Anfield to rediscover his form and get the Reds’ season back on track.
England midfielder Gerrard has been well short of his best for most of this season due to a hamstring problem and Liverpool’s failure to gel as a unit during a dismal campaign.
They were expected to push for the Premier League title this season but Benitez’s side, currently four points behind fourth placed Tottenham, have already lost 10 games and have ambitions no loftier than snatching the last Champions League qualification place.
Tottenham, Manchester City and Aston Villa are all closing in on a top four finish as they look to end the dominance of the traditional ‘big four’ and Benitez wants Gerrard back to his best to help his side fend off those other sides.
“I think more or less in terms of his position and his movement it is similar to previous seasons,” he said.
“The team has had some problems and some players are suffering because we are not giving them too many good balls or options.
“But Gerrard is an important player because he also has to create something for the rest of the team and he knows he has to improve.
“But the main thing for me – and we have had conversations with the team – is that everyone knows we have to improve.
“He is one of the players who is really focused and has a great determination. That is the first thing – if you want to improve you have to believe you can do it and work hard trying to do it.”
The last time these sides met in October, Liverpool were sunk by a Darren Bent goal that beat goalkeeper Pepe Reina courtesy of a huge deflection off a beach ball that had been thrown onto the Stadium of Light pitch by a Liverpool fan.
It was one of the most remarkable and bizarre goals in recent memories, and not something Benitez chooses to dwell upon.
“That was a bad decision but we have moved forward,” he added. “I think Sunderland have been playing well recently and it well be a physical and difficult game.”
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is ready to restore Lorik Cana to the midfield after the captain could only make the bench on his return from suspension in the 1-1 midweek draw at Aston Villa.
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