Benitez: 'Gerrard has my full support and backing'

The coach of Liverpool, the Spanish Rafael Benitez, expressed his "full support" to the capital of the team, Steven Gerrard, following their arrests in connection with a brawl that occurred in the early hours of Monday at a pub in north-west England.

Benitez, who returned to Melwood facilities in which they train the "reds" after they intervened to remove several kidney stones, confirmed the return of Gerrard in training and reiterated that the club was with him one hundred percent. "Steven is our captain and a key player for us, but more than that. I know it's a good person," said the Spanish technician in a statement broadcast on TV from Liverpool.

"I have sat with him and we had a very good conversation about the situation and also I could talk at length with counsel of our club," said Benitez in connection with the charge of assault hanging over the midfielder's team and that he could bring a sentence of up to 5 years in prison.

Gerrard, 28, was released on bail Tuesday after being arrested in connection with a fight that occurred in the pub Inn Lounge "in Southport (northwest England) which celebrated footballer with some friends of his team's victory compared to 1-5 by Newcastle at which contributed two goals.

The club had already expressed their support for the international English, but so far Benitez had not made statements. "Steven had explained to me what had happened and I told him that has my full support and backing, as well as the rest of the people in the club. He has trained with the rest of this morning after a couple of days off for the team and is now keen to focus only on football, "explained the coach.

Benitez has closed ranks on a computer that does not win the league since the 1989-90 season and currently leads the Premier, and stressed that "we all have the determination to maintain the progress that has enabled us to be in position in the we are. " "We will do everything we can to support Steven in the coming weeks, but now we concentrate on preparing the party for the FA Cup we have this weekend in Preston," he added.

Also the Professional Football Players' Association (PFA) today came out in defense of one of the most popular footballers of England, which until now had not starred in any scandal and had a reputation as a quiet man.

Speaking to the British news agency PA, the director of the PFA, Gordon Taylor, said "we have offered all the help we can give" and said the players' union "wants to show solidarity" with the Liverpool footballer. Gerrard returned to training camps Melwood, where he was greeted by a small group of fans.

The footballer has made no statements at this time and his wife, Alex Curran, said Tuesday it would not comment. Gerrard and two other men must appear before the court of North Sefton, northwest English, the next on January 23, to respond to the charge of assault against the local DJ, Marcus McGee, who was treated for a broken tooth and a cut in face.

Gerrard, accompanied by his wife upon arrival at his home in Liverpool. (AP)