by Judge » Wed Dec 14, 2005 1:04 pm
Liverpool boss Benitez hails 'unselfish' Gerrard
Wed 14 Dec, 6:47 AM
TOKYO (Reuters) - Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has hailed captain Steven Gerrard's "unselfish" contribution to his side's surge up the Premier League table this season.
Benitez made five signings after Liverpool's European Champions League triumph in May but the Spaniard acknowledged keeping Gerrard was his best decision.
"The first and most important was the player I re-signed -- Steven Gerrard," Benitez told Fifa.com.
"He was free as well which I thought was a good bit of business."
Liverpool turned down a bid of around $56 million (31 million pounds) from English champions Chelsea during a turbulent pre-season that strained relations between Benitez and Gerrard.
However, Benitez had nothing but praise for his captain as Liverpool prepared for their Club World Championship semi-final with Costa Rica's Deportivo Saprissa on Thursday.
"He is improving every year," Benitez said. "He can play anywhere. He is so unselfish in that respect. He always thinks about the team and not about himself."
Benitez had words of comfort for much-maligned striker Peter Crouch, who has struggled for goals since joining Liverpool from Southampton.
"Peter Crouch is a player who everyone knows about," Benitez added. "I am sure he will score a lot of goals."
Liverpool are on a 10-match unbeaten run and tied a club record of 10 clean sheets in a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough at the weekend -- their seventh successive Premier League victory.
Benitez's side are currently second behind Chelsea but the Spaniard said he was still looking to reinforce his squad.
"We are always looking to bring players in," he said. "But the priority for us at the moment is this (FIFA) trophy."
The superstitious Benitez had ordered Gerrard not to touch the trophy during a media day at Anfield last month.
"You don't want to tempt fate," the Spaniard said.
"It's a beautiful trophy and we want to bring it back to Anfield."
