Reds duo ready (From Crewe Guardian)

Reds duo ready

5:12pm Friday 12th September 2008 in

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Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and striker Fernando Torres have both been passed fit to face Manchester United at Anfield.

Torres had been sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Gerrard underwent minor groin surgery last month, but both completed a light training session at Melwood on Friday morning and have been included in the squad.

"They are both much better," manager Rafael Benitez told the club's official website.

"They came through a full training session. It wasn't a very hard session, but they will both be in the squad.

"It's important for us to have these two players of quality who can change a game.

"I'm not surprised they are available because the medical staff have done a good job and the players have been working really hard with the physios to get fit."

Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick return to Manchester United's squad - and Cristiano Ronaldo is primed for a Champions League comeback against Villarreal at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed his entire first-team squad is now fit ahead of the Anfield trip but that Ronaldo would not travel as he completes his recovery from ankle surgery.

However, Hargreaves, who has been troubled by a tendinitis problem, and Carrick, who also missed England's victories over Andorra and Croatia with an ankle injury, will be involved as United look to continue their recent stranglehold in meetings with their bitter north-west rivals.