Koeman wary of match-winner Gerrard
Benfica boss Ronald Koeman has warned his team that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard can win games all on his own.
Gerrard missed all but 12 minutes of his side’s Champions League first-leg defeat in Lisbon because of a leg-muscle injury.
But the England midfielder will be leading from the front when Liverpool confront Koeman’s Portuguese side in front of a passionate Anfield crowd tomorrow night.
The former Ajax and Barcelona star said: “Steven Gerrard is one of the very best, whether he plays on the right or in midfield.
“He can decide games on his own. He makes the crosses; he makes passes and shoots. We know that we have to control him.”
Koeman is nonetheless confident his side can withstand the expected Liverpool barrage to reach the quarter-finals.
He said: “We know we must play better than we did in the first leg – maybe we were a little lucky to score so late in the game.
“But that is football – matches are decided on very little details.
“We are aware of what the atmosphere will be like and that they will come at us – but if we score it makes it very difficult for them.
“We believe we know what to expect, how they will play and maybe people will think that 1-0 is not enough.
“But we are confident we will be able to survive. We know that they do not usually score many goals – and that for them to score three or four is very unusual.
“So we know that we must concentrate hard and work at our game and then we can see a way to the next round.”
Brazilian international defender Leonardo Bastos – ‘Leo’ – revealed Benfica are so confident of Liverpool’s style and system that they have spent much of the week working simply on how to contain Peter Crouch.
Leo said: “Liverpool will play with the long ball up to Crouch; we have been training to contest that, and our defenders are working on it all the time.
“We know Liverpool’s game plan; we know what we will be facing and we are prepared for it.”
Koeman has Brazilian striker Geovanni available after he missed the first leg with a torn thigh muscle.
The 26-year-old made his comeback at the weekend but may not start at Anfield.
Also under consideration for a place in the starting line-up is Greek midfielder Georgios Karagounis – in place of Beto, the Brazilian who was responsible for the high kick which has virtually ended Mohamed Sissoko’s season with a serious eye injury.
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