Steven Gerrard: I'm fit and ready to get Liverpool's season back on-track

Steven Gerrard has declared himself fit and ready to turn Liverpool's season around.

The Anfield midfielder is set to return to the starting line up, after a month of injury misery, in the crucial showdown with Manchester City at the weekend.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has found himself under increasing pressure in recent weeks, thanks to a miserable run where his side have recorded just one win in nine matches.

But Gerrard feels he finally has the fitness required to dispel all talk of a crisis, and in the process strengthen Benitez's position, after revealing that the treatment he has undergone on a groin problem seems to have been successful.

"The last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating because of what has been happening - obviously If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier.

“Some of the lowest points in my career have come about when I have had to miss big games for Liverpool and England through injury, especially when the team isn't winning.

“It’s never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League.

“But I’m feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and I'm ready -  I am really looking forward to the weekend, I have no mental hurdle to cross, and I just want to do what I can to help the team in this situation."

There were fears the Liverpool skipper might have required surgery to completely clear up the groin problem, but he feels that risk has now been avoided, because of the treatment.

He has had therapy on the injury and also had two injections to clear up the problem, and the England international revealed that he finally feels free of injury and raring to go.

"I have spent the past week doing strengthening work but I’m feeling a lot better now. It’s just a question of getting my match sharpness back now," Gerrard explained.

“I’ve had a problem in my groin that has taken a while to get over but I’m just relieved the second injection seems to have done the trick.

“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, which is so important."

Manager Benitez knows just how vital the showdown with City has become in Liverpool's season, after the setbacks of recent weeks effectively ended their chances of lifting the Champions League or Premier League trophy this season.

"I am 100 per cent sure everything will be totally different if we can win the game against City after this international break. The season can be good if we do well so it is a very important game," said Benitez.

“Maybe we can start the season right now. Winning against City will be a big boost for everyone and if that happens I'm sure we'll see the best of the team.

“If we start winning games, then everything will be different if we win two or three in a row. The confidence will be high and everything will be easier."

Benitez knows that the return of Gerrard will have a massive impact on his team, and offer a huge lift before such an important game in which his own position will be under so much scrutiny.

He will also have Daniel Agger available for the big weekend clash, after the defender has recovered from a back problem, but Fernando Torres will be ruled out, as he continues a three-week treatment plan on his abdominal injury.