Premier League:Steven Gerrard is likely to face Newcastle on Sunday, according to Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez, who insists he is solely focused on football despite rumours of renewed interest from Juventus in midfielder Xabi Alonso.
The England midfielder has returned to training after recovering from a groin injury. It is a welcome boost for Liverpool ahead of the match, especially as they could be six points adrift of leaders Manchester United come kick-off.
United are in action on Saturday when they face struggling Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium.
"Steven is doing well and is training with the rest of the team. I think he will be fit and available for Sunday,” Benitez said. "It is good news for the team and for him because he can be a key player for us over the remaining games.
"Without Steven the squad has been playing well and scoring goals, so that is positive."
Benitez's thoughts are only with continuing their title bid and not potential business in the transfer market after Alonso was linked again with a move to Juventus.
"I was reading the press and they are talking about different players," he told Liverpool's website. "I can guarantee today that we are not thinking about selling anyone. All we are thinking about is to do our job and to try and win the Premier League title, if possible.
"After that you never know what can happen in the market. Clearly, at this moment, we are just preparing for winning games."
Italian football agent Ernesto Bronzetti claims Juventus could reignite their interest in Alonso after failing to prise him away from Anfield last summer, when Benitez was targeting Gareth Barry of Aston Villa.
Bronzetti, who is said to advise many of Serie A's top clubs on transfers, has hinted that Juve could again attempt to lure Alonso to Turin.
“I would try to bring in Alonso. There was a long chase last summer for his signature, of course, so it is a road we know,” he said. "Pairing him with (former Liverpool midfielder Mohamed) Sissoko would be a title-winning midfield.
"The problem is that it would be very hard and expensive to take such an important player away from Liverpool."
