NEWS STORY:RAFA: GERRARD PLAYS, TORRES IN SQUAD Jimmy Rice 02 January 2009

NEWS STORY
RAFA: GERRARD PLAYS, TORRES IN SQUAD Jimmy Rice 02 January 2009

Rafa Benitez today confirmed Steven Gerrard will feature in the FA Cup third round clash with Preston North End on Saturday, while Fernando Torres returns to the squad.

The Liverpool boss is expected to make changes for the Deepdale trip but his skipper will play after excelling since the squad returned to training on Wednesday. In his first press conference since returning from a kidney stone operation, Benitez said: "Steven has been okay, training normally. I said in the statement that I've talked to him. I am supporting him 100 per cent. The best thing for us is that he is focused on football, training well and he will play tomorrow.

"Everyone has been supporting him. We know what's going on and it's clear that it's a special situation but we have to support him because we trust him."

Asked if Gerrard was mentally ready to play, Benitez added: "He will play, and that means, for me, he's ready.

"He is a professional and a very, very good one. He will just be thinking about football. Hopefully he will score some goals, play as well as he was before and everyone will be talking about the game."

On what kind of team will step out in Lancashire, and whether Torres will return after seven games out with a hamstring tear, Benitez said:

"It will be a strong team and we'll try to keep the momentum.

"Maybe we will change some players but we'll still have a very good team on the pitch.

"Gerrard is playing well and hasn't played too many games - he was injured for a long time during different parts of the season. It's not like Dirk Kuyt, who has played every game.

"It's the same with Torres, who's been injured. He and Gerrard have not played too many games so they can play.

"Torres will be in the squad. If we need him he can play. He is not 100 per cent because he hasn't got the match fitness. But he is ready."

Benitez will be further boosted by the imminent return of Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel from injury.

They, along with Torres, will be like three new signings, according to the gaffer.

"They have been very good players for us in the past, so it'll be like signing three new players," said Benitez.

"They are very cheap signings because we haven't spent much money!"

Quizzed on whether there would be any new additions to the squad in January, the boss replied: "If we need something we will try. But we are in a good position and we'll try to use the players we have now."

Meanwhile, Benitez stressed the importance of the FA Cup to Liverpool's season.

He said: "We will try to progress. The FA Cup is a fantastic competition for us so we'll try to progress and go to Wembley if possible.

"It will be difficult. Preston are doing well in the league and we know that to play against Liverpool is always a motivation. We know it will be a classic Cup game."

The tie will see Preston striker Neil Mellor face his former club. Mellor scored six goals in 21 games for Liverpool, and Benitez said:

"Mellor was a very good player for us. He scored fantastic goals against Olympiacos and Arsenal. They were very important goals.

"He is a great finisher and can score a lot of goals - hopefully in the league, not the Cup."

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