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| NEWS STORY |
BOSS: WHY STEVIE HASN'T YET REACHED PEAK
Jimmy Rice
29 November 2008
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Rafa Benitez believes Steven Gerrard will still be playing at maximum level in five years - and could be even better than he is now.
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At 28, Gerrard has reached the age most footballers approach their peak - but Benitez insists there is still a lot more to come from a player who today celebrates 10 years in the Liverpool first team.
"It is difficult to find a player who has spent 10 years at one club, especially now with the way football has gone," said the boss.
"And for him to do it in a top side is even more difficult. But Steven has the right mentality.
"Steven has improved with every year. He is always trying to learn, he has matured as a player and a person and tactically he has become more astute.
"He is trying to learn still, to do the right things on the pitch, and I believe he will continue to improve.
"He is an example to everyone. He always trains hard and is a good professional. He is always committed on the pitch, it is a kind of leadership that all captains should aspire to.
"In 10 years he will be a manager - probably at Liverpool. So if I stay for a lot longer, he can take over from me.
"Physically he is very strong, but he can play for five years now at the maximum level and then three or so more years helping the manager."
Gerrard will be even more important to his manager over the coming weeks in the absence of Fernando Torres.
The Spaniard has once again fallen victim to a hamstring injury - his third spell on the sidelines this season.
The 24 year-old striker has voiced his own concerns at the problem.
Torres said: "I am a little disappointed, but all I can do is move forward. It is worrying me because it has happened a few times.
"After this latest injury the important thing is to recover without rushing a comeback date and trying to make sure it does not happen again."
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