Gerrard fit to face Chelsea

07 April 2009 12:17
Steven Gerrard will be fit for Liverpool's UEFA Champions League quarter-final meeting with Chelsea at Anfield on Wednesday night. The Anfield skipper was a slight doubt for the first leg against their Premier League rivals after being substituted late on against Fulham on Saturday with a slight groin problem. But the England international came through training on Tuesday morning without any problems and is expected to lead Rafa Benitez's men out on Wednesday night. Gerrard has been the driving force behind Liverpool's recent resurgence and is the joint top-scorer in the Champions League with seven, including two in the thrashing of Real Madrid in the last round. Mascherano outBenitez must cope without the suspended Javier Mascherano against the Blues after the Argentina international was booked in the second leg of the Real showdown. Mascherano's absence means that Xabi Alonso is likely to start alongside Lucas in midfield with Gerrard supporting star striker Fernando Torres. Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena will miss the second leg at Stamford Bridge next week if they are booked in the first leg clash. It is the fifth consecutive season that Liverpool and Chelsea have met in the Champions League, with the Blues triumphing in last season's epic semi-final.

Source: SKY_Sports