Rafa wants Stevie to pick up trophies

By Redsfan
June 20 2005

Rafa Benitez has confirmed his desire to keep Steven Gerrard at Anfield. He hopes that Gerrard will lift many more trophies with Liverpool and he believes the Anfield board will stave off any interest from Real Madrid

Benitez said: "We are preparing a special weightlifting plan for Gerrard's shoulders because we want him to lift a lot of trophies for Liverpool in the next few years!

"I am not in favour of selling him and we are building a great team around him because we want him to be the skipper who wins the most titles in Liverpool's history.

"I know he feels the same way because we have already talked about it.
"Gerrard is a vital player for us and that is why we have not considered selling him."

Benitez revealed that last year he had persuaded Gerrard to stay at Anfield - at the time it was reported Chelsea were interested in acquiring the player.
Benitez said:
"He had important offers last year but I wanted him to stay with Liverpool and he stayed with us - that was rewarded with us winning a big competition and it's our wish to carry on down the same road with him."