Liverpool careful with Daniel Sturridge as he builds fitness
Tuesday 22 September 2015 11:30, UK
Gary McAllister says Liverpool will manage Daniel Sturridge with care as he continues his recovery following a lengthy lay-off.
The England striker made his first Premier League start since March on Sunday, playing just over an hour of the 1-1 draw with Norwich at Anfield.
Sturridge was hampered by a hip problem for much of last season and eventually had surgery in the United States, but is now edging towards full fitness.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted at the weekend the forward is still short of that target but first-team coach McAllister is happy with his progress.
"That was a positive from the weekend," he said. "He's a quality player and he brings something different but the medical guys are aware of Daniel's situation.
"Over the season he's a player they want to really look after and it's just a plus to have him back in and around the first team."
Danny Ings scored his first Liverpool goal against Norwich before Russell Martin equalised and McAllister has praised the striker for his determination since his summer move from Burnley.
He added: "It was really refreshing to see his performance. If you'd seen him every day on the training ground since he arrived here… if there's anyone who deserves a goal it's Danny.
"He's been working his socks off and it's not by fluke, it's by pure hard work that he managed to get that chance and finish it so well. He's been working hard at his game."
Liverpool face League Two side Carlisle on Wednesday night as they look to begin their Capital One Cup campaign with a win.
McAllister was in the side which claimed the trophy in 2001 and that sparked a run to FA Cup and UEFA Cup success.
After returning to the club in the summer, he appreciates the role the League Cup played that year and said: "That was the start and in the early rounds you gather momentum.
"Then there's greater belief and that led on to a really, really good season. Let's give the competition the respect it deserves. We'll be strong tomorrow [Wednesday] night and we want to win.
"We want to go as far as we can in the tournament. We had a good run in it last season - can we go a wee bit further?"
