Gerrard to play against Preston

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed Steven Gerrard will play against Preston in the FA Cup third round and Fernando Torres will be in the squad for tomorrow's match at Deepdale.

Gerrard was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and affray following an alleged incident at a Southport nightclub earlier in the week, but Benitez backed his skipper today.

"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," said the Spaniard.
 
"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."
 
"He will play, and that means, for me, he's ready," responded Benitez when asked if his captain was mentally ready to play.
 
"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."

Benitez added Torres, like Gerrard, was available if needs be, having recovered from a lengthy hamstring injury.

"It's the same with Torres, who's been injured. He and Gerrard have not played too many games so they can play," he said. "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."
 
Fabio Aurelio and Martin Skrtel are also fit after lay-offs. Their return and that of Torres is like three new-singings, says Benitez.
 
"They have been very good players for us in the past, so it'll be like signing three new players.
 
"They are very cheap signings because we haven't spent much money."

All in all, the returning players and the captain's inclusion means Preston are likely to face a considerably stronger side than they might have anticipated.

Provisional Liverpool squad: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Agger, Hyypia, Aurelio,Insua, Benayoun, Gerrard, Mascherano, Alonso, Babel, Kuyt, Torres, Keane, Ngog, Cavalieri, Lucas, El Zhar, Darby, Spearing.