Gerrard fit to face Chelsea

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed Steven Gerrard will line-up against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final after the midfielder overcame a neck injury.

The captain sat out the Saturday's 2-0 win at Fulham as a precaution after suffering the injury in training.

"Yes, he is fit," Benitez told a press conference this afternoon. "He was training this morning so he is okay."

Benitez confirmed that he has no new injury problems, with Daniel Agger and Harry Kewell both out long-term.

The Spanish coach made eight changes at Craven Cottage, with Fernando Torres on the bench. The 30-goal top scorer will face Chelsea, as will Alvaro Arbeloa, Ryan Babel, Dirk Kuyt and Xabi Alonso, who were all left out against Fulham.

Benitez, meanwhile, believes  Torres is key to Liverpool's chances of reaching a third final in four seasons.

Liverpool scored just two goals in their previous semi-final victories over Chelsea in 2005 and 2007, but will have Torres leading the attack at Anfield.

"The team has confidence when players like Fernando Torres are in the team that can score goals," Benitez told reporters. "The players know that sometimes you are not playing well and maybe you will score because of a player like Torres.

"In this case, the team is playing well and we have confidence because we know Torres can create something."

Benitez is predicting another tight game and will be happy to take a clean sheet from the home tie.

"The key at the end will be small details. We will have no advantage from having won in the past," he said. "Both teams have experienced players and I don't think it will be different from the past games."

Benitez said Liverpool will face a similar challenge to previous encounters with Chelsea even though Avram Grant has replaced Jose Mourinho as the London club's manager.

"I think Avram Grant is doing a good job," he said, pointing out that they reached the League Cup final and are now in the last four of the Champions League and the race for the Premier League title.

"But his team is similar to before. They are playing good football and have good balance in both defence and attack.

"The game will be tight. It will be difficult for both teams. I don't see an open game because they are good in defence and so are we."

Provisional squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Skrtel, Riise, Aurelio, Babel, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Lucas, Voronin, Crouch, Torres, Kuyt, Pennant, Itandje.