Rafael Benítez is hoping Steven Gerrard was denied the hundredth goal of his Liverpool career last week because fate has the captain down to reach the milestone against Everton in the 179th Merseyside league derby today.

Gerrard was denied a seemingly legitimate goal at home to Stoke City last Saturday, when his free kick was disallowed after Dirk Kuyt was ruled offside. But Benítez believes the gods may have conspired against the midfield player so he can chalk up his century at Goodison Park.

“Maybe Stevie’s goal against Stoke was disallowed because destiny has reserved him to score against Everton,” Benítez said. “He can score in any game because he’s always a threat, but maybe it will be better for him if he scores against Everton.”

Gerrard has come to Liverpool’s rescue on so many occasions under Benítez that one would expect the manager to be comfortable discussing his captain by now, but his reluctance to talk up his talisman again yesterday evoked memories of the player’s claims in his autobiography that even getting a “well done” from the Spaniard is nigh on impossible.

After much perseverance, however, Benítez warmed to the theme, saying Gerrard “is maybe the best attacking midfielder around” and emphasising the importance of a player whom David Moyes, the Everton manager, will have wasted no time pinpointing as the principal threat to Everton’s chances of only a third win in 18 Merseyside league derbies.

“In terms of his offensive mentality, Gerrard is similar to Ruben Baraja at Valencia,” Benítez, who managed the Spanish club for three years, said. “Baraja’s timing going forward and his long-range shooting was really good, like Gerrard’s, but Stevie is more powerful and more versatile.”

While Gerrard is accustomed to Merseyside derbies, it promises to be a new experience for Robbie Keane, but with six goals in 11 matches against Everton for Tottenham Hotspur, the striker is hoping to break his duck for Liverpool. “I’m looking to get my first goal because as a striker you are judged on goals,” he said.