Liverpool's talismanic captain Steven Gerrard has handed under-fire boss Rafa Benitez a welcome boost by declaring himself fit for the weekend's crucial Premier League clash against Manchester City.

Gerrard, 28, has been sidelined since the Reds' 2-1 defeat at home to Lyon in their Group E UEFA Champions League encounter last month after aggravating a groin injury he picked up whilst on England duty.

Having made a brief outing in Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Birmingham City prior to the international break, Gerrard is now ready for action as he seeks to help his beloved club turn around their recent woes.

Rafa Benitez's men have endured a torrid start to the season and having won only once in nine matches the news is sure to be a welcomed respite for the Spaniard.

Liverpool find themselves languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table and a full 11 points off table-toppers Chelsea.

On Saturday they welcome sixth-place Manchester City to Anfield in a mouth watering clash and Gerrard is ready to get stuck in after his length lay-off and help his team-mates return to winning ways.

"I felt very tired after the game, as I wasn't really ready to return (against Birmingham) and I'd done very little training in the three weeks beforehand," he told the official Liverpool website.

"It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work and I'm feeling a lot better now. I'm looking forward to the weekend. There's no mental hurdle to cross.

"It's a case of so far so good and the aim now is to make sure I get a good week's training under my belt so I'm ready for the game with City," he affirmed.