Steven Gerrard has told his Liverpool team-mates to "blank out" the row between Reds manager Rafael Benitez and the club's American owners.

The Spaniard has become embroiled in a face-off with Tom Hicks and George Gillett over their unwillingness to sanction transfer activity before they arrive on Merseyside for the clash with Manchester United on December 16.

And captain Gerrard has urged the players to "keep their focus" as they finalise preparations for Wednesday night's Champions League crunch clash against Porto at Anfield.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "We realise that there is stuff going on behind the scenes but as a player you have just got to blank that out.

"As players we get judged on results so it's vital that we don't get distracted from what is going on on the pitch and keep on winning.

"The match against Porto is crucial so we have to take our form into it and make sure we perform on the night."