Benitez's assistant to quit Liverpool

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, seen here in January 2007, has lost his trusted assistant after Paco Ayesteran decided to quit Anfield.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has lost his trusted assistant after Paco Ayesteran decided to quit Anfield.

Benitez had worked with his fellow Spaniard at Tenerife and Valencia as well as Liverpool, but Ayesteran has ended the partnership amid reports that the pair have fallen out.

Ayesteran, who handles fitness coaching and squad administration, is not expected to be at Liverpool's match against Derby on Saturday.

"Paco has told me he wants to leave, apart from that I cannot say any more. We will have to assess the situation," Benitez said

Benitez will have to shoulder the extra burden of dealing with Ayesteran's responsibilities while he looks for a replacement.

Meanwhile, Benitez has signed French midfielder Damien Plessi from Lyon.

The 19-year-old will initially join Liverpool's reserve squad and Benitez said: "He's only a young boy with plenty of time to work on his game. It depends on his progress how quickly he can force his way into the first team."

Benitez has ruled Steven Gerrard out of Saturday's Premier League clash against Derby, but hopes to have Jamie Carragher back in two weeks.

The Reds boss has decided Gerrard will not be risked as he struggles with a broken toe, although the Liverpool midfielder will link up with England next week for their Euro 2008 qualifiers.

Gerrard was keen to play on Saturday but would have needed an injection and Benitez was not prepared to push his captain through the pain barrier.

Carragher will also be sidelined for Derby's visit to Anfield, but Benitez is pleased that the defender will be back sooner than expected from a broken rib.

He expects Carragher will be fit in time for Liverpool's trip to Portsmouth on September 15.

"Carra is improving but he's not ready yet, maybe 10 days, though it could be 12 or 15," Benitez told Liverpool's website.

"As for Gerrard, we don't want to take any risks. If we decided to use him tomorrow it would be with injections, so I think it's best we don't take the risk.

"We will be in contact with the national team because we want the same from them. He wants to play all the games but we have to be careful.

"I know how important England is for him. I will talk with Steve McClaren and the doctors will talk to the doctors."