GOOD news Liverpool fans.

Reds' captain Steven Gerrard has told manager Rafael Benitez he is ready to start against Marseille in the Champions League tonight (tomorrow morning, Singapore time).

The England midfielder began Saturday's victory over Manchester United on the bench as Benitez resisted the urge to rush his star asset back from groin surgery.

Gerrard was offered the opportunity to build match fitness after coming on for the final 22 minutes at the weekend, and he now feels ready to return.

However, England international Gerrard recognises that the ultimate decision on his place in the team at the Stade Velodrome will lie at the feet of his boss.

'The manager did the sensible thing with me (against Man United),' Gerrard told Liverpool's official website.

One session

'It was hard to sit and watch from the bench, but I'd only had one full training session.

'My heart was saying I was desperate to play, but there are another 40-50 games hopefully this season.

'I wasn't ready to start. I'd been training on my own for the last 10 days. The most I could have played was 20 to 25 minutes.

'But against Marseille, I would had the benefit of a few more sessions and will be in better shape, but it'll be the manager's decision.'

PA Sport