Rafa - Gerrard fit to play

Gerrard: Fit to play, as is Johnson

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Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has confirmed that inspirational captain Steven Gerrard will be fit to play in the crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City on Saturday.

Benitez's side take on City in the lunchtime kick-off at Anfield, which is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1 at 12.45pm.

Gerrard was used as a second-half substitute in the 2-2 draw with Birmingham last time - climbing off the bench to net the 71st minute penalty equaliser.

The skipper has used the subsequent international break to gain additional rest to recover from a long-standing groin injury and Benitez confirmed he has been training and is fit to play on Saturday.

The Liverpool boss told Sky Sports: "We know that Gerrard is always very important for us, not just on the pitch also the passion that he puts in, everything.

Example

"He is an example for everyone so very good news for us and hopefully he can play well and maybe score the winning goal."

Benitez also expects to have Daniel Agger, Alberto Aquilani, Martin Kelly, Glen Johnson, Lucas Leiva and Yossi Benayoun available, but star striker Fernando Torres is definitely out.

He said: "I think that we had some problems but Agger has been training, Gerrard has been training.

"Now we have Aurelio, Glen training too, Leiva, Yossi, players they were not available.

"And we have Kelly and Torres - Torres is still not fit, he had a plan of two or three weeks and it's around 10 days now so he is continuing following the plan and progressing but is still not fit."

Benitez added: "He is improving but still he will need some days."