Rafa admits Gerrard concerns
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Rafa Benitez is prepared to wrap Steven Gerrard in cotton wool in order to ensure he is fit for Liverpool’s key games.
Despite Gerrard having a summer of inactivity, Benitez claims his midfield titan is suffering from fatigue just one game into the Premier League season.
The Spaniard claims Gerrard is being hampered by problems in both legs and will look to nurse him through the early weeks of the season.
“Steven Gerrard is a little bit tired,” said Benitez.
“He did not train the day after the England game but he was back in training on Friday.
“He has had a problem before with his groin and he has picked up another one on the other leg.
“He has already missed 10-15 days of training.
“That is the reason he was not playing from the start against Standard Liege.
“It was clear that he could not be fully fit after that. He would be Superman, no?
“But we know that he will be better and better. At the moment our idea is to protect the player.”
The 28-year-old is likely to be fit to start against Middlesbrough after playing an hour for England in midweek and Benitez added: “When you have players like Steven Gerrard with the qualities he has, it is important he is 100 percent fit when you play against the top sides or in really, really massive games.”