Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has no problems with manager Rafa Benitez's foreign signing policy.

"If Rafa is bringing foreign youngsters to the club, it is obvious he doesn't rate the local lads as good enough for Liverpool," said the club's Whiston-born captain. "Rafa is trying to rebuild the whole club, not just the first team. He wants to build his own youth team and reserve team so that all the teams at Liverpool play the same way.

"If these foreign players are good enough, then let's get them in. Of course you would always want to have a Scouse heartbeat at Liverpool. We have a tradition of that and I think it's something Rafa himself wants to have.

"But the most important thing is that any player who pulls on that shirt is of the highest quality."