LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is fit and ready for Sunday's Merseyside derby, although Christian Benteke remains a doubt.
Sturridge, 26, was rested for Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw at home to Swiss club FC Sion as he regains full fitness following hip surgery.
The striker is currently not able to play two games in a week, having only just returned after five months out as he recovered from a torn hip muscle. He is, though, fit to face Everton at Goodison Park in the Premier League on Sunday, having scored twice in a 3-2 win over Aston Villa last Saturday.
Fellow striker Benteke, though, is still recovering from the hamstring strain sustained during a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich on Sep. 20, and is a significant doubt.
Manager Brendan Rodgers said: "We'll see how Christian is over the next 24 hours. Other than that, the squad will be pretty much as it was for the Aston Villa game."
On Sturridge, though, Rodgers said: "He's fresh and fit and looking forward to the game this weekend."
Sturridge was left out of the England squad named on Thursday for their final two Euro 2016 qualifiers -- which Rodgers feels will give him extra time to build up fitness.
Roy Hodgson's side have already ensured a place at next summer's finals in France ahead of games against Estonia on Oct. 6 and Lithuania on Oct. 9.
Hodgson did not feel he needed to use Sturridge, and Rodgers feels that will help the striker. He said: "It's just about managing Daniel's fitness. He's been out for a very long time. He's come back early thanks to the work and effort he's put in. But with so many games, we just have to make sure we look after him.
"He's still looking to get to full match fitness. There'll come a point where he will be available to play in all of the games, or certainly be available for them."
Rodgers has faced intense criticism this season, although he feels his team are in a healthy position, lying five points off the top, and two points off a top-four position.
The manager acknowledges that expectations are high at Anfield, but pointed out that a win on Sunday would take them above Everton in the table.
"There is no greater pressure than what I've had before," he said. "The reality is that we are five points off the top. The players and I are very calm. Everton have done well, but they are a point ahead of us. They've had a good start and we're perceived to have had an awful one."