Yossi challenged by Rafa

Israel international midfielder Yossi Benayoun has been challenged by Rafa Benitez to make up for the absence of Steven Gerrard.

A groin problem has kept Gerrard out of the side for the past month and in his absence Benayoun has been called upon to grasp the nettle and replace the absent skipper as the playmaker in the heart of the midfield.

Benitez told the Liverpool Echo: "Yossi is a key player for us.

"There was a time before when people had some doubts about him but we knew he always had quality.

"We knew he could have an influence and change a game. He is intelligent and players don't know what he is going to do the next time he gets the ball.

"That's a big difference and when you don't have Steven on the pitch, it's important we have Yossi and we hope he will keep doing that in this game."