RAFAEL BENITEZ is considering moving Steven Gerrard back into central midfield as he strives to kickstart both Liverpool and their skipper’s season this afternoon.

Benitez’s side travel to pointless Bolton Wanderers aiming to bounce back from the shock 3-1 home defeat against Aston Villa on Monday night.

Gerrard was among several poor performers on the evening for Liverpool, with the England international responsible for giving away the penalty from which Villa scored their third.

With the Anfield outfit chasing the game, the 29-year-old dropped into more conventional central midfield role as Benitez sought more creativity from the middle of the park.

And the Liverpool manager may start with Gerrard in that position at the Reebok Stadium as he contemplates a change in his team’s approach.

“I was asked on Monday if teams had worked out our tactics,” said Benitez. “But the most common system in England is 4-4-2, most teams use that. So most teams are using the same tactics against each other, and still lots of goals are scored.

“But we have to change something if it’s necessary. We’re trying to do this. We have to work together and push harder, and I’m sure we will start winning games again.

“Moving Steven back into central midfield is an option, we have done that in a few games. The other day, because we needed different movements in the middle and attack we put him there.

“It’s an option we have, but I still have confidence in Lucas and Javier Mascherano.”

Benitez accepts that Gerrard has so far this season been below the exceptionally high standards he has set himself in recent years.