Brendan Rodgers: 'Playing Daniel Sturridge against Chelsea is a big risk'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that playing Daniel Sturridge against Chelsea would be a "big risk", but has not ruled out a return for the striker.

The England international, who returned to training on Sunday, has not played for the Reds since August due to calf and thigh problems.

Rodgers revealed after Liverpool's goalless draw with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday that the striker has an outside chance of playing in Tuesday night's Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge, but has reiterated that it is a risk.

"This is a big game but we have to be realistic, we have to be careful," The Guardian quotes Rodgers as saying.

"We have shown without him in the last seven, eight weeks that the team is at a good level. If he feels fresh and he feels right to be involved in some part, then we will maybe look at it. But it is a big risk."

The crucial semi-final tie is nicely poised following last week's 1-1 draw at Anfield.