Benitez buries hatchet with Capello

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez insists he has buried the hatchet with Fabio Capello over Steven Gerrard's groin operation.

Capello was reportedly angry that he wasn't informed by Benitez that England midfielder Gerrard needed an operation which will rule him out of next month's World Cup qualifiers.

Benitez confirmed Gerrard has now had the surgery and admitted the Liverpool captain would not be available until after the international break.

But he has spoken to England coach Capello to make sure there is no permanent damage to their relationship.

“Steven Gerrard has had the operation, it was not serious but he will not be available until after the international break,” Benitez said.

“I have spoken to Fabio Capello about the situation, he asked me how Steven was and it was a good conversation. Everything was positive between us and I have explained to him the timing and when he will be fit.

“We had no option but to have the operation done now, there will be another international break soon anyway, and we could not wait any longer.

“The player had problems and we needed to do it straight away, we had no choice. Fabio Capello understands this.”