Benitez backs Gerrard to carry on scoring

Liverpool Steve Finnan(L) is challenged by FBK Kaunas Vadim Petrenko during their European Champion League second leg match in Liverpool. Liverpool won 2-0

Rafael Benitez has backed Steven Gerrard to maintain his astonishing Champions League goalscoring record after the Liverpool captain took his tally to seven in this season's competition with the opener in Liverpool's 2-0 win over FBK Kaunas.

Gerrard climbed off the substitutes bench to break the deadlock against Lithuania champions FBK Kaunas before French international striker Djibril Cisse doubled the lead to give Liverpool a 5-1 aggregate cushion.

The 25-year-old midfielder netted four goals, including one in the final against AC Milan, as the Merseyside club won the European Cup for the fifth time last season.

Yet Gerrard has already bettered that tally by three after helping the Reds set up a third and final qualifying round tie against the winners of the CSKA Sofia-SK Tirana match.

Since pledging his long-term future to the Reds by signing a four-year contract last month, Gerrard scored five of his side's six goals against Welsh minnows Total Network Solutions as well as one in each leg against Kaunas.

Benitez reckons that Gerrard can continue his electric form in front of goal as the holders look to defend the title they won in Istanbul two months ago.

"Steven is scoring a lot of goals and I hope that continues as we progress through the rounds," said Benitez.

Liverpool Luis Garcia challenges FBK Kaunas Tomas Kancelskis during their European Champion League qualifier second leg clash in Liverpool. Liverpool won 2-0

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, Steven is a key player for us. "I'm delighted he has scored as many as he has. It can only be good for us and good for Steven."

Gerrard deflected the attention off his shoulders by saluting fellow goalscorer Cisse.

The former Auxerre player thought his career was over when he suffered a double leg fracture during a Premiership match with Blackburn Rovers last October.

But Cisse, who celebrates his 24th birthday on August 12, already has three Champions League goals to his name this season much to Gerrard's delight.

"Djibril has been through an awful lot over the last few months," he said.

"The main thing has been the mental strength he has shown. It's amazing he's managed to get himself fit and come back so early.

"When he's fit and available he's a very dangerous player. It was vital he got a full pre-season under his belt and now he has I think he'll have a good season."

Cisse is eager to write off his first season in England and prove his is worth every penny of the 14 million pounds that Liverpool paid for his services 12 months ago.

"It was a bad season last year but now I am starting to enjoy my football again. As long as I keep playing and scoring goals I'll be happy.

"It's very good for me to have a game like tonight and it's good preparation for the Premiership."

Liverpool's Momo Sissico(R) is challenged by FBK Kaunas Tomas Kancelskis during their European Champion League qualifier second leg match at Anfield, Liverpool. Liverpool won 2-0

Barring a disaster on the part of CSKA Sofia, Liverpool will be travelling to Bulgaria next week. They take a 2-0 advantage from the first leg against Tirana into Wednesday's deciding leg but Gerrard is not too bothered where the next phase of Liverpool's Champions League adventure takes them.

"We are using these games to our advantage," he added. "We're using them as pre-season games before the Premiership season begins on August 13. But they are a bit quicker than friendly games so we're getting fitter quicker."

Liverpool's victory came at a cost as new seven million pound striker Peter Crouch limped off with a suspected hamstring injury.

But Benitez played down the injury and is confident the England international will be back in action next week.

"It was a very difficult game against Kaunas," said the Spaniard.

"We didn't find the space we wanted but we've won and we're through to the next round which is important."