Gerrard has been a frustrated spectator for the last few weeks
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is confident he will be fit to start against Manchester City on Saturday following a nagging groin injury.
Gerrard came off the bench in the draw with Birmingham on 9 November, but was left out of England's last squad as he bids to regain full fitness.
He said: "I felt very tired after the Birmingham game.
"But I'm feeling a lot better now. The aim is to get a good week's training in so I'm ready for the game with City."
Gerrard admitted he was not "really ready to return" against Birmingham in what was his first match action since suffering the injury playing for England against Ukraine on 10 October.
He said: "I'd done very little training in the three weeks beforehand. It took me two or three days to recover from that game but I have spent the past week doing strengthening work.
"I'm looking forward to the weekend. There's no mental hurdle to cross.
"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."
Gerrard is anxious to help Liverpool reignite their campaign - they have already lost five league matches and will exit the Champions League at the group stages if Fiorentina win at home against Lyon next Tuesday.
He has missed five matches for Liverpool this season, including the defeats by Sunderland, Lyon and Fulham and was also absent as England lost to Brazil on Saturday.
"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," he told the club website.
"It's never easy when you have to sit out games against Manchester United or trips away from home in the Champions League.
"If the lads are winning games and doing well, it makes the pain a bit easier so obviously the last couple of weeks have been extra frustrating.
"But I'm feeling good now, a lot stronger than before and it's just a question of getting my match sharpness back now. That is the most important thing."
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