Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of in-form striker Daniel Sturridge as they prepare to take on Hull City at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Sturridge limped out of training on Friday with reports suggesting he has sustained ankle ligament damage and could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Any such news would be a big blow to Brendan Rodgers, who had planned to include the England international in his starting XI after admitting he had trained “exceptionally well” this week.

Liverpool sit second in the Premier League after losing just two of their 12 games, although they have failed to win any of their last three away top-flight fixtures.

Rodgers’ team have averaged two goals per game this term, though, with strikers Luis Suarez and Sturridge responsible for 18 of their 24 strikes.

The duo have each scored as many Premier League goals as the whole Hull squad (nine), and both were on target in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton last Saturday.

Suarez scored a stunning free-kick in the first half at Goodison Park, while Sturridge came off the bench to grab an 89th-minute equaliser despite struggling with a thigh injury.

Iago Aspas (thigh), Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates (both knee) also all remain long-term absentees for Liverpool as Rodgers prepares for the trip to Yorkshire

Hull City, meanwhile, are looking for their first every victory over Liverpool, having failed to triumph in any of the 16 previous meetings between the two sides in all competitions.

Hull did manage to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 stalemate in their most recent clash on the final day of the 2009-10 campaign, but that came after they had suffered a 6-1 reverse at Anfield – their record Premier League defeat.

The Tigers go into the game on a run of four defeats from their last five Premier League outings, including the 1-0 reverse to Crystal Palace last week – their first home loss of the season.

Paul McShane (hamstring) is sidelined for the hosts, although manager Steve Bruce expects Curtis Davies to be fit after picking up a knock against Palace.

Robbie Brady is available, while Bruce could also recall James Chester to the squad after the defender spent more than two months out with a hamstring problem.