The comment will stunn England fans, as Benitez sent the Liverpool skipper for a minor groin operation that he claimed was vital, before the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Croatia.
He said: “Gerrard is still progressing, so you never know. The key is the fitness of the player — it makes a massive difference if he has confidence.”
Benitez told The Sun that striker Fernando Torres, who has also been out with a injury, could play.
