Benitez: Gerrard is going nowhere

Rafael Benitez has insisted Steven Gerrard is not for sale and is still happy at Anfield.

Liverpool's inspirational captain has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid - and reports have also suggested the England midfielder has an uneasy relationship with his manager and is unhappy at being denied a central midfield role.

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But Benitez, who guided Liverpool to a morale-boosting 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Anfield on Saturday, has dismissed claims of a rift, insisting: "It is clear I will not be selling my captain.

"It is always a surprise to see such things that are not true. Especially for Steven because he had played such a good game.

"Against Villa, he worked really hard, so to see this the following day is a surprise. It's disappointing this is all people can think of talking about.

"I have not had just 'a word' with Steven, we talk many times, every day. He is my captain and we talk all the time, sometimes for a long time. To say anything else is crazy."

Gerrard, 26, has spent the last week worried about his six-month-old daughter Lexi, who has been in hospital recovering from symptoms similar to meningitis.

And Benitez added: "This week we have been talking with Steven, and last week. He was okay, we were talking about his daughter and how she is, as well as team issues and how we can give the team more confidence.

"I feel he is really focused on the club and our idea for sure is to keep him and to see him scoring goals this season and for many years for Liverpool."

Gerrard produced one of his best displays of the season on Saturday, helping the Reds end Villa's unbeaten league record.

Liverpool raced into a 3-0 half-time lead after goals from Dirk Kuyt, Peter Crouch and Luis Garcia. Gabriel Agbonlahor scored the Villa consolation.