Gerrard returns for Reds

Liverpool captain fit to face Chelsea

By Peter Fraser   Last updated: 21st April 2008

Gerrard Steven Inter v Liverpool

Gerrard: Injury return

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Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has confirmed Steven Gerrard is fit to face Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League.

The Reds welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Tuesday for the first leg of their semi-final meeting as the two domestic rivals prepare to cross swords in the final four in Europe for the third time.

It had been feared Liverpool skipper Gerrard could miss the encounter on Merseyside after sitting out his side's weekend victory away at Fulham in the Premier League with a neck injury.

However, Benitez has given Gerrard the all-clear to play and the midfielder will lead Liverpool out against Chelsea.

"He is fit," Benitez told Sky Sports News on Monday. "He was training this morning and so he is okay."

Speculation

Meanwhile, Benitez has played down speculation that Avram Grant will make a summer move for Gerrard after the Chelsea manager was recently quoted as saying he was eager to sign the England star.

Benitez claims he would praise Chelsea players Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in a similar fashion if he was asked the same questions as Grant.

"When you have so much experience you know that normally these things can happen," said Benitez.

"If you ask me about Drogba or Lampard or someone, then I would say that they are very good players.

"But it is not really important. Everybody knows that Gerrard is a good player and is a key player for us.

Commitment

"At this stage we have enough experience and we know that if someone asked me, or someone asked Avram Grant, we will talk really well about a player.

"When we were playing against Internazionale (in the last 16) Gerrard was one of the names. People were saying, 'Inter want Gerrard'.

"Hopefully it will be the same in the final against Barcelona or United.

"Steven Gerrard is a fantastic, focused player. His commitment to Liverpool is 100 per cent."