Gerrard makes the difference - Cana - Sport in brief

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Gerrard missed Saturday's draw with Fulham after sustaining a groin muscle tear the previous weekend and manager Rafael Benitez has yet to decide whether his captain can play the full 90 minutes against the French side in Wednesday's Champions League Group D clash at Anfield.

Cana said: "Maybe it would help us if he was not playing. But as a professional you always want to play against the very best to see whether you measure up. And he is one of the best in his position in the world."

Marseille shocked Liverpool in this competition with a 1-0 win at Anfield 13 months ago.

Since then Gerrard has inspired a 4-0 victory in France, scoring the first, and then adding two stunning goals when Liverpool won 2-1 in Marseille in September. Cana has no doubt of Gerrard's influence.

He said: "Steven Gerrard is the emblem of the club and the talisman of the side. Liverpool without Gerrard are not the same as Liverpool with him in their side.

"He scored two at our place, and was outstanding. We are not sure whether he will be playing and of course you want to play against the very best, to test yourself against someone like that.

"But if he plays it will harder for us, he is certainly one of the best in the world in his position. But we do not believe Liverpool are as good without him as they are with him."

Mathieu Valbuena, the midfielder who scored Marseille's winner in Liverpool last season, has surprisingly travelled with the squad despite suffering a knee injury that was expected to rule him out for a month.

Manager Erik Gerets said: "He is with us as much to continue his treatment as anything else. He will have to improve drastically to be involved, but we will see."