Gerrard believes Anfield boss Benitez is not to blame for Liverpool's unconvincing start to the season and insists the players must take the rap for the club's midtable league position.

Liverpool finally began to hit form in the last week as they recorded three consecutive home wins to help ease the pain of a dismal defeat at arch rivals Manchester United that left them 11 points behind the Premiership leaders.

Gerrard has been criticised for some lacklustre displays himself but he was instrumental in those victories against Reading, Aston Villa and Bordeaux.

And the England midfielder is determined to carry on leading from the front when Reading return to Anfield in the Premiership on Saturday.

Gerrard said: "It's away from home that we've really been letting ourselves, the manager and the supporters down.

"Being in mid-table as we head into November is a major disappointment.

"I needed to find my own form first, but as captain I have to help other players find their best form."

Gerrard admits he has been below his best this season and claims the World Cup played a major factor in his jaded performances.

"I've been missing something since the start of the season and I have not had that spark to my game. I think coming back from the World Cup has been a factor," he said.

"I've heard it all, my body language isn't right, there's a problem and I am not happy at the club, I've got problems off the field, my head's not in it. "I'll say now that it is just not the case."

Elsewhere in the Premiership, leaders Manchester United host the league's surprise team Portsmouth on Saturday.

Harry Redknapp's side will start the day in fourth place but United striker Wayne Rooney has set his sights on staying top of the pile for the forseeable future.

Rooney, who ended his 10-game goal-drought with a hat-trick at Bolton last weekend, said: "It's much better when you are at the top and looking down on teams, we want to stay there for as long as we can and remain there until the end of the season.

"A lot of people talked about my form and lack of goals. But, as long as the team wins that's the important thing. But, since the Wigan game, I think my performances have been good and I always knew the goals would come.

"I was glad the goals came against Bolton because it shut a few people up. There's no better way to do than with a hat-trick. And you saw with (Paul) Scholes that once one comes, more will follow."

Champions Chelsea, currently behind United only on goal difference, face Tottenham on Sunday looking to extend their remarkable record against their London rivals.

Tottenham have not beaten Chelsea in the league since 1990 and Jose Mourinho's men will be desperate to maintain that run as they try to keep pace with United.

Also on Sunday Arsenal will try to improve their finishing and pile the pressure back on under-fire West Ham manager Alan Pardew.

Tomas Rosicky and Cesc Fabregas posted two contenders for misses of the season as Arsenal squandered a host of chances during a goalless Champions League draw against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Arsene Wenger's side will try to reproduce the fluent play that carved open the Russians against a West Ham team whose win against Blackburn last weekend was their first since the opening day of the season.

At the bottom of the table Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder desperately needs a victory against fellow strugglers Sheffield United after a run of six league games without a win.
Fixtures
(1500GMT kick-off unless stated)
Saturday
Bolton v Wigan, Charlton v Manchester City, Fulham v Everton (1245GMT), Liverpool v Reading, Manchester Utd v Portsmouth, Newcastle v Sheffield Utd (1715GMT), Watford v Middlesbrough
Sunday
Aston Villa v Blackburn (1400GMT), Tottenham v Chelsea (1600GMT), West Ham v Arsenal (1330GMT)