Rafa Benitez has defended his captain Steven Gerrard for successive Premier League matches after the midfielder appeared to strike Michael Brown in Liverpool's 4-1 win over Portsmouth last night.

Gerrard was substituted immediately after the incident in the 73rd minute when he seemed to aim an elbow at the Pompey midfielder's head.

Referee Stuart Attwell awarded a foul and may be asked to assess the video footage by the Football Association, which could take retrospective action against Gerrard.

But Benitez said he did not think Gerrard would face punishment. Last week the 29-year-old escaped any further action despite appearing to make a V-sign gesture towards referee Andre Marriner as the Reds crashed 1-0 to Wigan Athletic.

"I haven't seen it but I was asking and I think it was nothing," Benitez said after last night's win at Anfield, insisting that the substitution was unrelated with Liverpool coasting at 3-0.

Pompey manager Avram Grant also said he had not seen the incident, which took place off the ball.

"Personally, I like Steven Gerrard," Grant said. "I think he is a good player and a fair player."

Liverpool moved up to fifth with last night's win, which arrived courtesy of goals from Fernando Torres (two), Ryan Babel and Alberto Aquilani, while Nadir Belhadj scored a late consolation for bottom-of-the-table Portsmouth.