Fuente: © Arsenal
http://www.arsenal.com/

LIVERPOOL FC: RAFA: GERRARD IS THE MAN TO LEAD ENGLAND

Rafael Benitez today insisted Steven Gerrard should remain as captain of England as speculation intensified that international boss Fabio Capello will overlook the Reds' midfielder when he names his long-term skipper.

/noticias.info/ Despite captaining his country in Capello's first match against Switzerland last month, it has been reported that the Italian will instead turn to either Chelsea's John Terry or Aston Villa's Gareth Barry when he names his permanent captain.

But as far as Benitez is concerned, Gerrard is the man to lead his country towards qualification for the 2010 World Cup.

"Steven has captained England before and he has shown he can do the job well so I am surprised that there is talk that he might not be captain in England's next game," said the Anfield manager.

"It is not up to me to make the decision and Capello is lucky because he has some very good candidates for captain but if he was to ask me I would tell him that Steven is the right man.

"Terry and Barry are both good players and good captains for their clubs so they are good options for England. But I see Steven every day, in matches and in training, so I know what he brings to Liverpool and that is why I think he would be the right man.

"If you think back to Istanbul and the FA Cup final against West Ham in Cardiff you will remember how inspirational he can be as captain." notas_de_prensa_archivo