Liverpool-Manchester United: Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard Are Fit to Play

It's the news I had been praying for ever since Steven Gerrard had an operation a few weeks ago, and even more so since Fernando Torres went off injured against Aston Villa.

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard have been passed fit to face Manchester United tomorrow at Anfield. And we really do need them.

I'm the first to say that, without Gerrard and Torres, Liverpool are still a very good team, capable of beating almost anyone. People seem to think that, without Torres especially, we won't succeed in anything. Need I remind them that we won the Champions League in 2005 with Milan Baros and Djibril Cisse as our main strike force?

But this season, Liverpool have, performance wise, not got off to a great start. It has taken late goals from both Torres and Gerrard to save them and get them three points.

In the match against Villa when Gerrard was injured and Torres went off early on, we didn't have anyone to save us then. But we had players capable of doing it. Dirk Kuyt, for example, who came to our rescue in the Champions League qualifier against Standard Liege.

People repeatedly say that without Torres and Gerrard, Liverpool are a much worse team. Yes, we are worse, but any team gets worse without their two best players.

If Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand had both got injured last season for Man United, I don't think they would've won the title. Chelsea look a mediocre team without Petr Cech and John Terry.

The argument that Liverpool are almost a "two-man team" is ridiculous. Players like Jamie Carragher have been wonderful for about five years now, and Pepe Reina is, I believe, and statistics back me up, the best keeper in the league.

However, the news that they are fit to play is a huge relief for me. Despite us not being a two man team, they are so important for Liverpool. They will need to be at their best tomorrow against the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

If they are at their best, we have a great chance of winning, if they're not, we still have a better chance than if they weren't playing at all, as there is always that real possibility of a moment of magic.

Before I heard these two were able to play, I was predicting a Man Utd win, but now, although I still see that as a possible outcome, I am starting to lean more towards a Liverpool win.

One thing is for sure, if Liverpool want to establish themselves as real title contenders, they need to win these games.

The stage is set for a great confrontation tomorrow in the biggest match of the season—Liverpool vs Manchester United!