By Redsfan
April 27 2005

Rafael Benitez has said that Steven Gerrard is desperate to have the last word on Chelsea this season by ending their Champions League adventure. Steven wished for a reunion with Chelsea minutes after scoring the own goal that cost Liverpool the Carling Cup final.

Rafael Benitez said:

It is difficult for a player to maintain such a high level if everyone is talking about his future all the time," said the Liverpool manager.

"People are saying this game will decide Stevie's future, but I don't think so. He is our player and he wants to win with Liverpool. At this moment he is not thinking about the future, only this game.

"He has a clear idea about what he has to do, he knows what this game means to the club and the supporters. You can see the determination to win in his eyes, and with both Stevie and Xabi fit we can play good football and have a better chance of winning."

Benitez added: "You can see Stevie is very determined to win this game. I don't know if he is even more determined because of what happened in the Carling Cup final, but watching him in training you can see he really, really wants to win."