Rafa Benitez wants Steven Gerrard to play against Preston North End

It is expected that manager Rafa Benitez will be including Steven Gerrard in Liverpool’s line-up this weekend to face their tricky third-round FA Cup tie at Deepdale against the Championship side Preston North End.

It was originally thought that Gerrard would be sidelined this weekend after he had been charged with assault earlier in the week.

Rafa Benitez, on the other hand, believes that it would be better for Gerrard to have his mind focus on football instead.

Benitez also hinted that the long-time injured striker Fernando Torres, who has missed out seven weeks of football with a hamstring injury, could be brought on as a substitute in the second half.