Benitez says Juventus win could keep Gerrard at Liverpool

Manager Rafael Benitez believes Liverpool's Champions League win over Juventus could have a big bearing on captain Steven Gerrard's future at Anfield.

The England midfielder rejected the chance to leave Liverpool last season but has been linked by media reports with a move to Chelsea at the end of this campaign.

"He (Gerrard) has two years left on his contract and he wants to win trophies," Spaniard Benitez told reporters yesterday.

"Gerrard has that possibility with us, no doubt.

"He said the team and the club must improve and we are improving every week. I think he wants to improve with us.

"It will be fantastic to have Steven Gerrard playing for Liverpool as he adds to our team."

Gerrard returns to the side against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League today after missing the 0-0 second leg draw in Turin with a groin strain.

Liverpool clinched a semi-final date with Chelsea by going through 2-1 on aggregate.

France striker Djibril Cisse will also feature at home to Spurs after impressing Benitez with his speedy recovery from the broken leg he suffered at Blackburn Rovers in October.

"It is difficult watching the video of the (broken leg) incident," Benitez said.

"It was terrible to see.

"But Cisse has worked very hard. He trained yesterday and scored a lot of goals and was laughing a lot."

Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League table with 52 points from 30 games, four points behind Everton.