Benitez vows to handle Gerrard with care

Updated 14.57 Tue Aug 28 2007
Keywords: Euro 2008, England, Champions League, Steven Gerrard, Rafael Benitez, Liverpool, football, sport

Rafael Benitez is vowing to handle Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard with care.

So often the England midfielder has been sent out patched up to inspire the Reds, but Benitez believes he has a big enough and strong enough squad now not to take risks with his most prized asset.

"I do not want to lose Steve for a long time when you have enough players now for every game" - Rafael Benitez

Gerrard has not played since facing Chelsea with a hairline toe fracture ten days ago.

And Benitez, speaking ahead of the second leg of Liverpool's Champions League clash with Toulouse, said: "I hope Steven will be okay for the weekend but the Champions League game will be a risk.

"I do not want to lose Steve for a long time when you have enough players now for every game.

"If you push him too much it will be a risk, I want to keep him training and fit but ready. Maybe when he is not always 100 per cent we can leave him out, that is what we will do."

Gerrard's on-going recovery is to be monitored carefully ahead of next weekend's Premier League clash with Derby County.

With England facing Israel and Russia in vital Euro 2008 qualifiers at Wembley in the next fortnight, Steve McClaren will be hoping Gerrard is fit for duty.

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