Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has vowed to continue reintroducing Daniel Sturridge into first-team football instead of pushing him to play in the remaining games of the season.
Sturridge has missed much of the season with multiple injuries -- hamstring, foot, knee and hip -- but has been brilliant since returning to the first team.
He started and scored in Liverpool's 2-1 win over Bournemouth at the weekend, after coming off the bench to inspire the Reds' 4-3 comeback against Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League last Thursday.
With the Merseyside derby against Everton taking place at Anfield on Wednesday, fans are expecting Sturridge to retain his place in the starting XI, but Klopp has hinted that he may look at other options instead.
"If you think Daniel Sturridge can play from the first to the last minute in the last nine games, fine," Klopp told Liverpool Echo.
"Yes, he is in brilliant shape. I know it. The best thing for us, for him and for England for the European Championships is to keep him in the best shape since I have been here.
"Now we can say 'Oh my God, Daniel is back, let's push him through all these games!' Yeah?
"If you think that is right, write it. If not, don't ask me anymore. We will do what we think.
"But still, after this long period, you cannot use him as an orange and take each little bit of the juice."
It remains to be seen if Klopp will recall Divock Origi into the starting lineup or give Sturridge another start, but if the latter scores against their rivals, it will be his 50th goal for Liverpool in just 87 matches.