From Liverpool FC Wiki

[edit] Todays News

20th March 2008

[edit] BENITEZ BELIEVES THAT GERRARD SHOULD BE CAPTAIN FOR ENGLAND

Rafael Benitez today insisted Steven Gerrard should remain as captain of England as speculation intensified that international boss Fabio Capello will overlook the Reds' midfielder when he names his long-term skipper. Despite captaining his country in Capello's first match against Switzerland last month, it has been reported that the Italian will instead turn to either Chelsea's John Terry or Aston Villa's Gareth Barry when he names his permanent captain.

But as far as Benitez is concerned, Gerrard is the man to lead his country towards qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

"Steven has captained England before and he has shown he can do the job well so I am surprised that there is talk that he might not be captain in England's next game," said the Anfield manager.

"It is not up to me to make the decision and Capello is lucky because he has some very good candidates for captain but if he was to ask me I would tell him that Steven is the right man.

"Terry and Barry are both good players and good captains for their clubs so they are good options for England. But I see Steven every day, in matches and in training, so I know what he brings to Liverpool and that is why I think he would be the right man.

"If you think back to Istanbul and the FA Cup final against West Ham in Cardiff you will remember how inspirational he can be as captain."

[edit] ARBELOA THINKS THAT UTD SHOULD BE WORRIED

Alvaro Arbeloa claims Manchester United defenders should be having sleepless nights at the prospect of facing deadly duo Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard on Sunday. The popular full-back has also backed Torres to improve upon a record which has seen him net just two away goals in the league all season.

"I hope he does," Arbeloa told Liverpoolfc.tv. "He scored against Inter away so why can't he score at Old Trafford? He is a great player and he can do it.

"Fernando and Stevie are playing really well, scoring goals and have a good partnership. I think the Manchester United defenders will be really worried."

While Alex Ferguson's men have to concern themselves with stopping Liverpool's 46-goal pairing, Arbeloa and co will be up against the country's top scorer in Cristiano Ronaldo.

So, what does the man who put the brakes on Lionel Messi for 180 minutes in last season's Champions League think is the secret to stopping United's talisman?

"There is no secret to stopping Cristiano," said Arbeloa. "He's playing well and scoring goals, so it's very difficult. It's something for the team. The team has to defend very well together to stop these kinds of players.

"You worry a little bit when you're going to be up against Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney because they are fantastic players - but that's my job. We have big defenders here like Carra, Sami and Fabio. They are great defenders, so I can sleep well."

Liverpool have yet to taste victory at Old Trafford since the arrival of Rafa Benitez, but with seven victories and the Barclays Premier League player of the month up front, there's a real belief that the tide could be about to change.

Arbeloa said: "The game is really difficult but we have confidence in ourselves because we are playing really well now. We need to win and we'll go to Manchester with this mentality.

"My teammates are happy and have a lot of confidence. Our performances over the last seven games have been really good and I think we can now go to Old Trafford and win.

"For the players these derby games are really important. These games are different than normal games, you really have to fight for every ball."

The reserve fixture in December saw United sneak a 1-0 win at Anfield to end the Reds' unbeaten start to the campaign.

It's a game Arbeloa remembers only too well, and the 25-year-old thinks lessons can be learned as the sides prepare to face off once more.

He explained: "They are not good memories. I think we played better than them but they scored first and then defended really well. We couldn't take our chances.

"That's very important. In difficult games you normally get only two or three chances and if you take them it's easier. We have to defend well and hope we take our chances."

One thought that may have entered the minds of Merseysiders and Mancunians alike is that Sunday could be a rehearsal for this year's Champions League final.

Arbeloa admits it's a mouth-watering prospect, but insists such thoughts will not be entertained at Melwood.

"Maybe, maybe," he responded when asked about the prospect of a north-west derby in Moscow. "But now we are only thinking about this game. Maybe it will be the final, you never know, but we are not thinking of the Champions League. This is about three points for both teams, no more."