• Premier League

Sturridge fit to face Swansea

ESPN staff
February 15, 2013
Daniel Sturridge has proved to be a good signing for Liverpool © PA Photos
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge has recovered from a hip injury and will be fit to play against Swansea on Sunday.

Sturridge, 23, picked up the injury in the 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the beginning of the month, forcing him to miss England's 2-1 win over Brazil and Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to West Brom.

The former Manchester City man also missed out on the Reds' 2-0 Europa League loss to Zenit St Petersburg on Thursday as he was cup-tied

However, the striker, who has impressed since making his £12 million move from Chelsea last month, is back in contention to return for the Premier League clash with the Swans.

"Daniel has come in and made a terrific impact," Rodgers said. "He's been great, and he'll be fit for the weekend."

Fellow January signing Philippe Coutinho could also be in line to make his first start for the visit of Michael Laudrup's side.

Coutinho, a January signing from Inter Milan, made his Reds debut as a substitute in the West Brom contest and asked if the Brazil international might be in line for his first Liverpool start this weekend, Rodgers said: "He is certainly in my thinking. He has come in and needed that little bit of time to adapt to the new way of working and new life, but you can see the kid's qualities.

He has got good experience for a young player, so on Sunday we will have a look.'' Daniel Agger, after criticising his own performance in the West Brom defeat on Twitter, did not travel to Russia but Rodgers has indicated the defender will be involved against Swansea and praised the contribution he has made since the start of the campaign.

"He has been outstanding this season - he has that real warrior spirit,'' Rodgers said. "We have just had a little run of games where as a team - and for us, there is no blame on the individual - we haven't defended as well as what we had done. He is one of the top European centre-halves and we are very happy to have him here.''

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