RAFAEL BENITEZ has revealed Steven Gerrard has the full backing of everyone at Liverpool after the skipper was arrested earlier this week.

Gerrard was held overnight and then one of three men charged for an alleged assault following an incident at a bar in Southport just hours after the 5-1 win at Newcastle United.

The 28-year-old returned to training at Melwood yesterday having received a flurry of supportive texts from fellow England internationals.

And Anfield manager Benitez believes Gerrard is now keen to concentrate on his football with Liverpool going into the New Year three points clear at the top of the Premier League.

“Steven is our captain and a key player for us, but more than this, I know him as a nice person,” said Benitez, who returned to Melwood yesterday for the first time since undergoing surgery on a kidney stone problem a fortnight ago.

“I sat down with him this morning and had a very good talk with him about the situation and I was also able to speak at length with our club lawyer.

“Steven explained to me what had happened and I told him he has my full support and backing, along with everyone else at the football club.

“He’s trained with the other lads this morning after a couple of days off for the squad and is keen now to focus solely on his football.

“We’ve worked very hard to get into the position we’re in going through to the New Year and all of us are determined to keep that progress going.

“We’ll do whatever we can to support Steven in the weeks ahead, but we’re now concentrating on our preparation for the FA Cup game at Preston this weekend.”