Liverpool face Chelsea in the second and decisive leg of the Capital One Cup clash. The Reds have been boosted with news of Daniel Sturridge being very close to return to action.
The 25-year-old trained with the rest of the Liverpool squad at Melwood for the first time since returning from his injury rehabilitation programme in the United States of America.
Brendan Rodgers admitted that the England international does have a chance of featuring for the Reds at Stamford Bridge but also insisted that the Liverpool management won’t rush him back in order to ensure he doesn’t suffer another untimely injury.
“We’ll see how he is today,” said the manager when asked by reporters whether the striker could feature against Chelsea
“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.”
The striker tweeted on Sunday:
First day of training today with the boys. I’m a happy man