Rafa hopes skipper will lead Reds as Gerrard flies to Belgium

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The England midfielder was given little chance of being fit after limping off in the first half of last Tuesday’s win over Valerenga in Norway with a thigh problem.

But manager Benitez said: ‘He is progressing really well but we will check tomorrow after training.’

Come in, Red Leader? Injured Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard flies to Belgium ahead of the tie with Standard Liege

Martin Skrtel, Fabio Aurelio and Philipp Degen are all ruled out of the first leg against the Belgian champions with knocks from pre-season games.

Liverpool are also without Javier Mascherano, Ryan Babel and Lucas, who are at the Olympic Games.

Benitez insisted any problems with American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett will not hit his preparations. But he is certain to ask serious questions about the pair’s ruling that midfield target Gareth Barry is not worth the £18million Aston Villa are demanding for him.

Martin O’Neill has confirmed he is ready to play Barry in Thursday’s UEFA Cup tie in Iceland against Hafnarfjordur, which would cup-tie the England midfielder for the group stages of the Champions League.

Last night, the Villa manager agreed a fee with Rangers to sign 26-year-old Spanish defender Carlos Cuellar.