The England international made substitute appearances against West Ham and Bolton Wanderers following his lengthy injury absence though he is still building up his fitness

Daniel Sturridge is pushing to make his return to Liverpool’s starting XI in Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Brendan Rodgers has revealed.

The England striker spent five months on the sidelines with calf and thigh injuries before making a goalscoring comeback as a substitute against West Ham last week.

Another cameo appearance in the midweek FA Cup win at Bolton Wanderers followed, as Sturridge ramps up his recovery.

Sturridge has six goals in nine career appearances against Liverpool’s local rivals, including three in three derby outings – he has not scored more against any other team.

That impressive form could tempt Rodgers into throwing his star striker in from the start, but the Ulsterman remains wary over his fitness.

“Every player wants to play, not just Daniel,” Rodgers said. “You go into each game and every player that gets paid here at the football club wants to play.

“Daniel is coming along very well. It’s not that he won’t start, but we need to analyse that over the next couple of days. We shall see.”

The memorial will be placed outside of Goodison Park prior to kick-off in the Merseyside derby and Roberto Martinez has spoken of his pride of the occasion

Everton are to unveil a Hillsborough memorial plaque ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 people and injured 766 others in 1989, occurred during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Everton fans have put their football rivalry to one side to help their near neighbours over the years, and chairman Bill Kenwright, along with Hillsborough Family Support Group chair Margaret Aspinall, will unveil the new permanent tribute this weekend.

“We take a lot of pride in it,” said Everton manager Roberto Martinez. “There’s always been a strong bond between the two teams over that tragedy.

“That’s going to be a really important moment.

“It’ll be great from a human point of view to see the two football clubs in the city together and showing the support that a tragedy like that forces into a really painful experience for everyone.”

Aspinall added: “This is a really lovely gesture from Everton, paying tribute to the 96 who lost their lives at Hillsborough. 

“I would like to thank Bill and everyone involved, not least the Everton fans who have provided great support to the families over the years.”

The memorial had been suggested by Everton fans, including Stephen Kelly, whose brother Michael died in the disaster.

“As an Evertonian who lost my brother at Hillsborough, I have always been grateful of the support from the blue side of the city,” he said. 

“I hope that when Evertonians look at this they will feel proud of the way we’ve supported our neighbours.”

The Brazilian curled in an injury-time winner to send his team into the FA Cup fifth round, with his manager hailing him as an inspiration for younger players

Brendan Rodgers has compared Philippe Coutinho to Luis Suarez after the Brazilian’s late stunner saw Liverpool reach the FA Cup fifth round.

Late goals from Raheem Sterling and Coutinho cancelled out Eidur Gudjohnsen’s earlier opener for Bolton, who had Neil Danns sent off when they led 1-0.

And Rodgers lavished praise on Coutinho after the game, predicting the former Inter man to match Suarez’s “world-class” talent in the years to come.

“You just pay money to watch that kid,” he told reporters.

“Watch how he plays football. He can be a great role model for young British players who, for many years, may have been discarded because they didn’t have the stature. He’ll become world-class in the next few years.

“With Luis Suarez, he was at a level when he played in this team, and he grew with the model before getting into that world-class bracket.

“I can see Coutinho following in a similar sort of line. He may not be as prolific but he’s on his way to that level. He’s a wonderful player.”

It was a nervy end for Liverpool, who were staring at an embarrassing exit, until an exquisite pass from Can after 86 minutes set up Sterling for the equaliser – and Rodgers singled out the summer signing.

He added: “He’s a kid that’s going to go on and be a big player for this team and Germany. He can defend, pass, he’s quick, he’s powerful. A lot of these young players are standing up to be counted now.”

Liverpool now travel to Crystal Palace on February 14 for a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with Rodgers noting the 3-1 Premier League loss at Selhurst Park in November.

“[Going back] is a great thing,” he said. “We didn’t play anywhere near our level and that the lowest point of the season in terms of performance.

“We go back there very soon with a different frame of mind and level of performance. Alan has lifted the club since he’s gone there but we go with big confidence.”