Benitez feels fit-again Gerrard will help Liverpool recover from the slump
Benitez feels fit-again Gerrard will help Liverpool recover from the slump
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Meaningful involvement in both the Premier League and Europe is now under threat and boss Benitez is fully aware of the importance of a victory at Anfield tonight when Group E leaders Lyon must be overcome in the Champions League.
Anything else, and the balloon really will go up for Benitez, who is still shaking his head in despair at the freak goal that saw Liverpool lose at Sunderland.
Difficult season
That Darren Bent's winner went in off a red beach ball bought by a fan from Liverpool's own club megastore just about sums up Benitez's difficult season so far. Now Liverpool face back-to-back Champions League clashes with the French league leaders, as well as a visit from champions Manchester United over the next fortnight.
The return of Gerrard from a groin injury, despite the fact Fernando Torres is still out with a similar injury, can be the boost Benitez believes his squad need.
He said: "With Steven around, it has an effect on the other players. He is an inspiration to them.
"Steven is a winner with the right mentality. But we have to see these players on the pitch, they cannot win games when they are injured.
"The team knows we are not playing at the right level, but they also know that we are good enough.
"They know we must start playing again at that level, their response in training has been positive and we must repeat that on the pitch. One good result will change everything.
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