Gerrard made his debut as a substitute against Blackburn on November 29, 1998, and will make his 459th appearance for the club against West Ham on Monday.

Benitez said of the 28-year-old: "It is difficult to find a player who has spent 10 years at one club, especially now with the way football has gone.

"And for him to do it in a top side is even more difficult. But Steven has the right mentality.

"Steven has improved with every year. He is always trying to learn, he has matured as a player and a person and tactically he has become more astute.

"He is trying to learn still, to do the right things on the pitch, and I believe he will continue to improve.

"He is an example to everyone. He always trains hard and is a good professional. He is always committed on the pitch, it is a kind of leadership that all captains should aspire to.

"In 10 years he will be a manager - probably at Liverpool. So if I stay for a lot longer, he can take over from me.

"Physically he is very strong, but he can play for five years now at the maximum level and then three or so more years helping the manager."

Robbie Keane will get an extended chance to impress against the Hammers as Liverpool plan for the loss of Torres.

Keane was left on the bench for the midweek Champions League win over Marseille, but is expected to start against West Ham.

Italian full-back Andrea Dossena is likely to replace Fabio Aurelio, who is out for two weeks with a calf injury.

Benitez has also revealed that Liverpool will now mount a complete overhaul of Torres' medical care after his fifth hamstring injury in 16 months at the club.

The Spanish striker broke down again during Wednesday's Champions League victory over Marseille.

Scans have revealed a repetition of the injury that could rule him out for three weeks, the December 21 trip to Arsenal being the tentative target for his comeback.

Torres has had three similar injuries on international duty, and two now with Liverpool, in the 16 months since his arrival at Anfield from Atletico Madrid.

Torres could also be sidelined for matches against Blackburn, PSV Eindhoven and Hull.

Benitez said: "Now we will have to start all over again to try to solve this problem.

"Because it has happened again and again we must analyse the small things. Maybe the way you walk, maybe your footwear or the exercises you do.

"I have talked to Fernando looking for a solution, and also with the doctor and physio staff. We must solve this, it is not a serious injury, more one that is difficult to cure."

And the 24 year-old striker has voiced his own concerns at the problem.

He said: "I am a little disappointed, but all I can do is move forward.

"It is worrying me because it has happened a few times. After this latest injury the important thing is to recover without rushing a comeback date and trying to make sure it does not happen again."