Brendan Rodgers has described Daniel Sturridge's recovery as "critical" for Liverpool but warned the striker needs time to recapture last season's devastating form following a spate of injuries.

Sturridge is back in training at Melwood after rehabilitation work in the US although a first-team return is not imminent. The Liverpool manager, who is reluctant to put a timescale on the striker's comeback given his medical history, has recalled Jordan Ibe from a successful loan spell at Derby County to increase his attacking options as Sturridge approaches full fitness.

The England international scored 21 goals in Liverpool’s title challenge last season but, while enthused about his potential impact on the side when fit, Rodgers insists it is unrealistic to expect the 25-year-old to flourish immediately. Sturridge has missed almost five months so far with a calf and two thigh injuries. His last appearance for Liverpool came in the 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on August 31st.

Match fitness

“People have to be more realistic, it will take him time,” cautioned Rodgers. “First he has to get fit generally, and fortunately he is a naturally fit player as he proved last season when he came back without much of a pre-season and did very well. But then there is match fitness, football fitness, and that will take a wee bit of time. Just having him on the field to begin with will be critical to the team because I think his threat is obvious. It’s the only way we will get him back up to speed.”

Liverpool face Chelsea in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg next Tuesday, with the second leg against Sturridge’s former club on January 27th, but the striker is unlikely to be involved. Rodgers said:

“You look at his history and it’s very hard to forecast [a return date]. We have seen that in the past. He’s out on field, he’s working. He was due to come back here towards the final stages of that rehabilitation and that’s where he is at. Hopefully over the next few weeks he will improve on that.”

Higuain speculation

Adam Lallana

and

Glen Johnson

, however, are close to returning following thigh and groin injuries respectively and could be involved at Aston Villa on Saturday. Lallana was expected to be sidelined until February but has recovered quickly, although

Steven Gerrard

is doubtful with a tight hamstring that forced his withdrawal at Sunderland last weekend.

Gonzalo Higuain’s brother and agent insists he has not spoken to Liverpool and claims the Argentina striker is happy at Napoli.

The Argentina international has been strongly linked with a move to Anfield in the winter transfer market.

The arrival of Italian forward Manolo Gabbiadini to Napoli from Sampdoria last week has increased speculation of Higuain’s possible departure.

However, when asked about Liverpool’s reported interest, Nicolas Higuain told Italian radio station Crc: “I don’t speak English only Italian, French and Spanish.

“First of all, I have not spoken to any club because they have not contacted me and secondly, it would be disrespectful to Napoli.

“[Napoli president Aurelio] De Laurentiis is a great person, a man of honour and I couldn’t behave incorrectly.

“We’re not thinking about leaving Napoli.”

Higuain has scored nine goals and set up three more in 18 league appearances for Napoli this season.

Liverpool's chief executive, Ian Ayre, has confirmed Gerrard could return on loan once he moves to LA Galaxy. The Liverpool captain will end his 26-year association with the club this summer when he departs to the MLS but Ayre has not ruled out the prospect of Gerrard playing for Rodgers' team again.

“The fact that he’s leaving at the end of the season doesn’t mean it’s the last we’ll see of him at Liverpool,” he said. “What that means, the details aren’t known yet, but we will keep a regular dialogue with him and I hope we will see him here again in the long-term.”

Asked if that could mean a return on loan next January, Ayre said: “It’s conceivable. It happens a lot in MLS and it’s something we talked to Steven and his representatives about. You can’t have someone who has so much of the club’s DNA in them and just expect that it will go away.” Guardian Service