Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard believes Fernando Torres deserves to start today against Wigan.

Reds boss Rafa Benitez has threatened to drop Torres after his hat-trick in the Carling Cup this week against Reading and Gerrard said: "I don't want to get involved in Rafa's selection but I think any centre-forward who scores a hat-trick really should be played in the next game as his confidence is so high.

"You can understand Rafa's method, but you can also understand the fans who want to see him out there for every minute."