Rafa Benitez calls on FA to say sorry to Liverpool FC over Steven Gerrard

Nov 22 2008 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

RAFAEL BENITEZ wants an apology from England over their controversial treatment of Steven Gerrard this week – but does not expect to receive one.

Liverpool remain deeply unhappy that their integrity was called into question by Gerrard being made to travel south to join up with his national team, despite having already withdrawn from the squad for the midweek friendly in Germany through injury.

A scan following Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers last Saturday revealed the Anfield skipper had suffered a minor tear to his groin, ruling him out of today’s Premier League visit of Fulham.

While on the team bus travelling from the Reebok Stadium after the game, club doctor Mark Waller – who is a long-term member of the England under-21s set-up – sent a message to the England camp informing them of Gerrard’s injury.

Liverpool’s press office contacted their England counterparts to do likewise, and Benitez also spoke to Capello over the weekend to explain Gerrard’s absence.

The Anfield outfit assumed that was the end of the matter, only to be surprised by stories emanating from the England camp the next day and the subsequent demand for the midfielder to join up with the rest of Capello’s squad.

Gerrard travelled down to the national team base in Watford on Sunday and, after checks swiftly ruled him out of the trip to Berlin, was back in Merseyside the following day. England insisted the same for Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, who was similarly assessed and sent straight back home.

Liverpool were keen to send a copy of their scan down to the England base, but their offers to fax or e-mail the information weren’t deemed acceptable.

And while playing down any suggestion of a rift with England head coach Fabio Capello, Benitez reckons the national team should recognise their mistake.

“It would be nice if I could get an apology, but I’m not expecting it,” said the Anfield manager. “Gerrard is not fit to play against Fulham, and that’s it for me. That means someone at the FA has made a massive mistake.

“Under normal circumstances it would be nice if someone rang to apologise, but I’m not really expecting a call.

“We know the rules and respect them. But I prefer now not to think of this because there are no more internationals for a while.

“There’s no problem between me and Fabio Capello, I am not unhappy with him.

“But we were right. Gerrard cannot play, so we were right when we said he was injured.”