Daniel Sturridge’s preparations for the Merseyside derby were described as “not ideal” after the Liverpool striker played through the pain barrier for England against Germany.

Liverpool’s joint leading goalscorer this season is a doubt for tomorrow’s trip to Everton having played the full 90 minutes of England’s defeat on Tuesday with a thigh problem.

Sturridge has played for Liverpool with the injury recently but he limped out of England training the day before the international friendly and his manager, Brendan Rodgers, is concerned at the possible repercussions for Liverpool at Goodison Park.

He admits it was the striker’s decision to face Germany. “He’d not played the previous game so I was not overly surprised he played the full 90 minutes against Germany,” Rodgers said.

"It's not ideal if you haven't trained. When you see Daniel – and I have worked with him for a number of months, I know when he's at his best – that's when he has been training regularly and playing games.

'With an injury'
"He's been playing through with a dead leg and went to England with an injury. Sometimes managers are led by players. Sometimes they want to play 90 minutes and that's something we'll take into consideration. We'll assess him. He's back recovering and we'll see where he is over the next few days."

Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, who has a hip problem, did not train yesterday.

One certain absentee against Everton, and for the next few months, is Jose Enrique. The left-back has been struggling with a knee problem all season and is to undergo surgery after a period of rest failed to remedy the injury.

Rodgers said; “We’ve tried various ways to get him fit but he needs an operation. I’m not sure how long he’ll be out.”

Liverpool have sacked their academy director, Frank McParland, and academy technical director, Rodolfo Borrell, as part of an overhaul of the club’s youth system.

Rodgers has taken the unusual step of addressing speculation linking Liverpool with a January move for the Derby County midfielder Will Hughes. The 18-year-old scored for England Under-21s against San Marino this week and was again linked with a switch to Anfield.

'Linking him'
He said: "This is a kid who, if he picks up the paper every weekend, sees he is linked with coming to Liverpool. This is a very talented young player but either some person or a group of people aren't doing him any favours whatsoever by constantly linking him with coming to Liverpool.

“I read we had put in a bid and there is nothing further from the truth. There is no bid. There has been nothing.”

Gerrard, meanwhile, insists it is too early to talk about title ambitions but admits there will be a “huge hole” in his career if he retires without a league championship to his name.

A Premier League winners’ medal is the only club honour missing from the England skipper’s extensive trophy cabinet.

And while the Reds have made a good start to this season, sitting second ahead of the weekend’s Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Gerrard said no one was getting carried away.

“I think it’s important for me as captain of the team not to raise expectations,” he said.

“When you’re talking about winning titles, it’s premature, it’s too early, and I don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.”

"There'd be a hole missing in my career (without a title win) but I don't think I'd spend the rest of my life being irritated or annoyed or frustrated."
Guardian Service