Steven Gerrard 250
RAFAEL BENITEZ has backed Steven Gerrard to play on for another 10 years – and finish his playing days as a striker.
Liverpool’s captain marks his 10th anniversary of playing for the first team by leading his side out to face West Ham United at Anfield tonight in attempt to go three points clear of Chelsea.
Gerrard has made 458 appearances and scored 104 goals in his club career, the latest giving Liverpool the 1-0 win over Marseille last Wednesday that sent them through to the Champions League knockout stages.
His far post header demonstrated the eye for goal and deadly finishing ability that Benitez feels will eventually persuade the 28-year-old to phase out his intense, all-action midfield style for a role further up the field, declaring: “He is a great finisher and can score goals – so maybe he can play as a striker.
“When he is older he might not have the same pace but he will have the same accuracy and still be a great finisher.
“He is still young, 28 for a player is the best age and I think that he will not lose his power and he will not lose his quality.
“As a player in terms of his physical condition and technical ability he will not lose these things, so he can only improve because he can read the game
better every year. I don’t know how long he will be as strong as he is now. But if he can stay with the same energy and same power a few more years he will be better and better.
“He is now one of the big names and 10 years in the same club and scoring 104 goals for a midfielder is amazing. But he can score more goals and still be more effective on the pitch.”
Liverpool beat West Ham 4-0 the last time the sides met back in March, which was the last time Benitez saw his side score four goals in a league game – and a failure to win convincingly has left lingering doubts over their ability to sustain a title challenge.
