Stars get ready to return

Liverpool are unlikely to risk Fernando Torres against Manchester City but Steven Gerrard is set to start.

Torres has spent the week receiving treatment on his persistent groin problem and has taken some part in a couple of solo training session away from the first-team.

Torres was ordered to have a three-week break from football when the Reds sought advice from renowned specialist Ramon Cugat which would put him in line for a return in the Merseyside derby against Everton at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, Gerrard is back in contention after a similar problem which has sidelined him in the past month, although he did come on as a emergency substitute following Albert Riera's injury just before half-time in the 2-2 draw against Birmingham City last time out.

Glen Johnson should be fit, too, while Yossi Benayoun and Riera have made great progress following their hamstring injuries against Blues and could even make the squad despite the initial diagnosis being the pair would miss at least three weeks.