Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Daniel Sturridge needs time to get back to full fitness.
The striker returned to action for the first time in six months in the Reds' 1-1 draw with Norwich City at Anfield on Sunday.
The England international, who had hip surgery at the end of last season, played for around 60 minutes before being replaced by Adam Lallana.
With Liverpool scoring just four goals in six Premier League matches, the return of their striker is welcome news, but Rodgers has insisted that he will not put pressure on Sturridge.
"I felt it was important to get him on the field and he did well for the hour he played," the Daily Star quotes Rodgers as saying.
"He's still a way off his full fitness, but his presence and stature in the game will always give us hope because he's got big quality. It's just about games for him and building his fitness, and there's no pressure for him to do that."
Sturridge could get more minutes on Wednesday when Liverpool host Carlisle United in the Capital One Cup.
Danielle Joynson
