Rafa explains Gerrard selection

Last updated : 01 November 2007 By Al Campbell
Many people would have expected Liverpool to rest their captain for last night's Carling Cup game with Cardiff but the Reds skipper played and scored. Rafa Benitez explained his selection after the match.

"I would have wanted really to leave Steven out of the match," said the Liverpool boss.

"But we have too many injuries and Mohamed Sissoko was sick again, so Steven had to play and in the end he was the one who scored the vital goal.

"Cardiff worked very hard and were always dangerous, but then Steven got through to score a typical goal."