Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard facing fitness fight for Champions League showdown with Chelsea

The 27-year-old midfielder missed the Reds 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Fulham with a neck injury and Benitez is unsure if he will be fit to face the Blues at Anfield.

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But the Spaniard did have some positive news on defender Sami Hyypia who should be fit to play despite being withdrawn at half-time after a clash of heads which left him feeling dizzy.

Benitez said: "I was talking with the physios today and he [Gerrard] is improving but it is still too soon [to say if he will be fit for Chelsea]

"You always have to be careful with the neck - he has been scoring a lot of goals with his head.

"I think he'll [Hyypia] be okay - he felt a little bit dizzy after a knock to the head but I think it's okay now. Mascherano had three knocks but I think he too is okay."

Goals from Jermaine Pennant and Peter Crouch eased Liverpool to victory at Craven Cottage as Benitez opted to rest Dirk Kuyt, Ryan Babel and Fernando Torres.

The victory left Liverpool eight points clear of city rivals Everton with just three games to go and the Anfield boss admitted the race for the fourth Champions League place is all but over.

"It's clear we are nearly there, we need one point and Everton need to win every game," Benitez told www.liverpoolfc.tv.

"But this is football, we still must be careful. We needed to do a good job today and now we can focus on Tuesday.

"Today it was important to do the job. We scored two goals without Torres and Gerrard, so we have confidence. But Chelsea is a difficult team."

Benitez also confirmed that he has started his recruitment drive for next season as he seeks the calibre of players necessary to mount a title challenge.

The 48-year-old revealed that a deal had been completed for one player for next season but only gave a few hints as to identity of the signing.

"We are working on trying to improve the squad for next season," Benitez added.

"We have some movements for next season, so we will continue trying to do the same.

"We have some signings for the next season done. They are senior players for the first team and young players for the first team and reserve team.

"Two of them are really close, young players, and one senior player is done. He talks good English, but is not English."