Rodgers Offers Sturridge Fitness Update Ahead Of Liverpool’s Trip To Chelsea

Liverpool will be in London on Tuesday night to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi final tie.

Ahead of the game, Brendan Rodgers has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and gave Liverpoolfc.com an update on the fitness of Daniel Sturridge.

The 25-year-old returned to full training on Sunday for the first time since returning from a lengthy injury absence, with thigh and calf problems restricting him to just three starts so far this season.

However, having spent a month working with specialists in the United States over Christmas and New Year, Sturridge has now completed his rehabilitation at Melwood and is closing in on making his first team comeback.

Speaking at his press conference this morning, Rodgers confirmed the striker was looking sharp yesterday and will be assessed after today’s training session to see whether he’ll be included in the squad for tomorrow’s cup tie, but insisted they wont be taking any chances with him.

“We’ll see how he is today,”

“He had a training session with the team yesterday and he trained very, very well. It was as comfortable as he’s looked, even when he was coming back before – he was maybe a little bit tentative. I thought yesterday he looked back to normal.

“We won’t risk it, that’s for sure. He’s been out for a long time, so we just need to make sure he is ready and feels ready, which is important, to come and contribute.

“I don’t think he’ll be 100 per cent when he comes back, that will only come when he’s got his game time once he gets playing games.

“All we can do, alongside him, is make sure he is in the best possible condition that he can be, both physically and mentally, and that will give him a chance to stay fit.” Rodgers is quoted as saying by Liverpoolfc.com

It’s going to be a huge boost for Liverpool to have Sturridge available again as he’s been sorely missed these past few months. The Reds have struggled for goals all season and their problems were evident again on Saturday night as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Bolton in the FA Cup.

However, it’s understandable they don’t want to take any chances and if Sturridge isn’t named in the squad for Tuesday’s League Cup clash, then he should be in contention to face West Ham at Anfield this coming weekend.