Gerrard on Rafa row

Steven Gerrard has asked his teammates to "focus" on the situation in hand ahead of Liverpool's crucial Champions League tie, despite the distraction of Rafa Benitez's argument with American owners Tom Hicks and Gillett.

Gerrard told the Liverpool Echo: "We realise that there is stuff going on behind the scenes but as a player you have just got to blank that out.

"As players we get judged on results so it's vital that we don't get distracted from what is going on on the pitch and keep on winning.

"The match against Porto is crucial so we have to take our form into it and make sure we perform on the night."

Benitez has insisted that he is focused on the team.