Benitez underlines Gerrard importance

Taylor, the Professional Footballers' Association chief executive, said of Gerrard: "If that was a racehorse, the RSPCA would be on the case."

But Benitez said: "Gerrard now has his confidence back. When he is in that frame of mind he plays well and Liverpool play well. Beforehand he was injured, he needed to get fit but he still had to join up with the national team."

He added: "He was the hero of his country because he was playing with injuries, but it is not easy to play a lot of games in a row when you are not 100% fit.

"Everybody was pushing him to do everything well for his country and the team and to play two matches in a row, sometimes that is not easy in those circumstances. It has had an effect on him ever since.

"We were missing those surging runs from midfield into the box, now he is doing that. He has the confidence to do it and that has meant the team is playing better."

Privately, Benitez and Liverpool may think that if Taylor is worried about Gerrard being used too much, then England's decision to play him twice in five days, while a broken bone in his foot was healing, needs to be addressed.

Gerrard is now back to almost his best, having scored three times in a week.

Benitez said: "Steven is playing well, he is back to fitness and in the last three games he has been much, much better. He has scored in each of those games and we are beginning to benefit from his returning form.

"He has been the difference in the team. It gives everyone more confidence, they know that if they are in trouble or we have a problem, that Stevie can score maybe the winning goal or produce the crucial tackle."