Brendan Rodgers confirms the January signing will return from injury on Sunday, while fellow new-boy Philippe Coutinho could make his first start for the Anfield club

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that Daniel Sturridge is set to return from injury against Swansea City on Sunday.
The England international missed Monday’s defeat against West Brom due to a hip injury and was cup-tied for Thursday’s Europa League trip to Zenit.

Fellow January signing Philippe Coutinho, who made his Reds debut from the bench in the 2-0 loss at Anfield on Monday, could be in line to make his first start for the visit of Michael Laudrup’s side.

Rodgers told reporters: “Daniel has come in and made a terrific impact. He’s been great, and he’ll be fit for the weekend.”

Meanwhile, having claimed before the defeat to West Brom that Liverpool could still qualify for the Champions League this season, Rodgers has lowered his expectations after dropping to ninth in the table and 12 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham.

He observed: “Being a realist, it’s going to be very difficult. It’s going to be a huge task. We can still do it but it will be difficult.

“It might not be this year that we can make that jump but I can’t ask any more of the players.”