Mr.Benitez told newspaper reporters: “Steven knows that he has to improve but that for me is very positive. He knows he is a very important player for us and we were analysing his statistics and he is doing much better. In the last game he wasn’t at his level but that can happen in one game. He knows he is improving physically and the main thing now is confidence.”

He added: “I was talking with him this week about how to improve. He wants to give more. I am 100% that he wants to give more. He is the captain and he is very important for the team and the club. He is someone who is pushing now and wants to improve.”

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He said: “The England midfielder has been having pain-killing injections in his troublesome groin injury just to get him on the pitch but it is clear he is operating at half speed as Liverpool have crashed out of the Champions League and fallen well behind in the title race.”

“Gerrard’s driving runs are not what they were, the bursts of pace severely hampered by his condition. The goals have dried up too – just four for Liverpool this season and none in the last eight games. The fact that he remains one of his side’s most potent weapons is a sad reflection on his team-mates.”

Benitez admits the groin problem could affect Gerrard for the rest of his career, which is a terrifying thought for Liverpool fans who have grown accustomed to seeing their captain shoulder the burden of responsibility.

As fragile as Gerrard’s body has become, questions are again being asked about his state of mind.

Gerrard along with Torres headed for Switzerland yesterday for the FIFA World Player the Year Award to stand alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi, Xavi and Kaka.

Hansen said: “Last season Liverpool had players right down the spine the keeper, Reina, Carragher was playing well, Mascherano was brilliant, Alonso, Gerrard, Torres, and the bits round the side were just filling in. They were playing with confidence and we thought they were half-decent players.”

“‘The minute those six started to struggle – or, in Alonso’s case, left the club – then the bits round the side had to step up to the plate and, unfortunately, they haven’t been able to do it.”

“Liverpool’s results have been abysmal.”

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He said: “We have turned the corner. You could see that against Debrecen. We have kept the unbeaten run going and that’s the positive thing. It’s another clean sheet and you can see that we are reacting and trying to do things well.”

Despite looking the stronger side for much of the second half against a Blackburn it was another uncomfortable afternoon for Liverpool.

However, Pepe Reina clearly does not share his manager’s optimistic view about Liverpool’s revival. He said: “I would swap that clean sheet for a victory all day long. Apparently we are defending better now than we were but we have to win because that is what really matters. Having said that, if you cannot win, the next most important thing is not to lose so at least we managed that. It was a difficult game and in the end I think a draw was a fair result.”

Liverpool vs Blacburn [Highlights]

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Steven Gerrard

Rafael Benitez

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According to newspaper The Mirror report former Rafael Benitez is eyeing for former Manchester United striker Van Nistelrooy for a shock switch to Liverpool in the January transfer window.

The Dutch striker, 33, who has recovered from the series of injuries that have limited him to just four appearances in 2009, is to be said will join Anfield on loan until the end of season as Rafa Benitez aims to add firepower to his team.

But Benitez could have a battle on his hands as Van Nistelrooy is also attracting interest from Tottenham and Manchester City as he nears full-match fitness following a thigh problem.

Although it is being reported Van Nistelrooy would prefer a move to Anfield because he believes Liverpool will still be fighting for the Premier League title at the end of the season – something that would help him secure a place in Holland’s World Cup squad.

Van Nistelrooy scored 95 goals in 150 appearances for United before moving to Spain three years ago in a £18 million deal after falling out with Ferguson.

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Rafael Benitez also touched upon the subject of the injury that has troubled the Liverpool’s talismanic captain Steven Gerrard in recent times. The skipper had missed a fortnight’s training before coming on as a substitute in the game against Birmingham at Anfield.

He added: “Steven Gerrard looked okay after his groin problems, physically he was fine. We will have to see how the injury reacts but he brought us quality and passion, and I hope that we can now manage his problems better.”

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Goals highlight of Liverpool game against Fulham last night. Fulham beat Liverpool by 3-1. It was another terrible game for liverpool. This was Liverpool’s eighth loss for this season.

Liverpool captain 29-year-old Steven Gerrard who is suffering from groin injury was omitted from Sturday game against Fulham and Torres who has muscle injury was withdrawn after an hour.

Benitez said yesterday that Gerrard “could be” fit for Wednesday, but with Torres, “we don’t know, last time it was four days for him to be ready again. We took him off to protect him.”

This is Liverpool second defeat after they beat arch-rivals Manchester United last week. Liverpool is playing against Lyon on Wednesday for Champions League title.

According to The Sun report: “Rafa Benitiez summed up his future in one sentence. When the reporter asked how long before he reconsidered his future, the Liverpool boss replied: “My future is against Lyon.”

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Liverpool Manager Rafael Benítez has confirmed in a press conference that Steven Gerrard, Torres will be monitored by the club’s medical team over the weekend before a final decision is made on his ability to face Manchester United at Anfield.

Its been reported Fernando Torres returned to training yesterday, but at same time Manager Benítez admits that Liverpool captain Gerrard, Striker Torres and defender Glen Johnson could all be fit for the Manchester United game on Sunday.

Rafael Benítez said: “We will speak with the physios over the weekend before making a decision about Steven. It’s the same situation for all the players. Fernando trained today and has been working to a specific programme. Hopefully Glen will be available too, but we’ll have to wait and see. We will make late decisions with all of them.”

He added: “I am really relaxed in terms on my position because I know how we are working on the pitch every day. In the past we were doing really good things and we haven’t changed too much.

“It’s a question of confidence. We know we have to improve but it’s about winning the first game now. As a manager you know you will have good moments and bad moments. At this moment we know we have to improve, we have to win and it’s a question of time.”

“I’m sure that once we win the first game, everything will change. This game against United could be the right opportunity for us because it’s a massive game against our rivals and the fans will be behind the team from the first minute until the last. We can change everything.”

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Rafael Benitez believes inspirational liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can lead his team out of slump that has seen them lose three consecutive games.

Now Liverpool face back-to-back Champions League clashes with the French league leaders, as well as a visit from champions Manchester United over the next fortnight.

Mr.Benitez said: “With Steven around, it has an effect on the other players. He is an inspiration to them. Steven is a winner with the right mentality. But we have to see these players on the pitch, they cannot win games when they are injured.”

“The team knows we are not playing at the right level, but they also know that we are good enough. They know we must start playing again at that level, their response in training has been positive and we must repeat that on the pitch. One good result will change everything.”

He continues: “I am confident in my team, we are trying to improve and the response of the players this week has been very good and back to our best. We have gone from winning five on the trot to losing three in succession. We were scoring lots of goals and now we have not scored in three.

“We have Gerrard back now, and we have players who are fresher than they were after the international games. I hope that the Champions League will create a special atmosphere that will inspire the players, as it usually does in games like this at Anfield.

Benitez said: “It is important to have Steven back, we have had some problems with injuries right from the start of the season so it is a big boost for us to have him back. Torres is not ready, so we have to wait a little longer but hopefully he will be okay for the weekend against Manchester United.”

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Its been reported that co-owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks will provide Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez £12million to spend in the January in a bid to bolster the club’s chances of winning the Premier League title after Liverpool suffered three defeats this season.

According to the DailyMail report, Mr.Benitez has already earmarked Lazio striker Goran Pandev as a potential new partner for Fernando Torres.

Earlier this week Gillett said about: “In the last 18 months, we have invested £128m, on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better. If it is not getting better, it’s not Gillett and Hicks. It’s the manager, it’s the scouting.”

Meanwhile, Benitez will no doubt welcome news that £20 million summer newcomer Alberto Aquilani could make his long-awaited debut later this month.

The 25-year-old former Roma midfielder arrived at Anfield in August having undergone surgery on an ankle injury and has yet to make an appearance. However, Benitez is optimistic the Italy international will soon be match fit after stepping up his rehabilitation.

“I have been speaking to the doctors and things are going well with him,” the manager told the Liverpool Echo. “Alberto is progressing all the time. It could be two to three weeks before he is back. But we need to use caution. We will take it one step at a time and we have the international break to look forward to now.

“That will be good for him, as he will have some more time. He is running and swimming – I think he will have the record in the swimming pool by the end of his programme – and he is working in the gym.

“He is doing almost everything and he is doing some things with the team. The only thing he is not doing is kick a ball – not yet any way.”

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