Daniel Sturridge's preparations for the Merseyside derby were described as "not ideal" after the Liverpool striker played through the pain barrier for England against Germany.

Liverpool's joint leading goalscorer this season is a doubt for Saturday's trip to Everton having played the full 90 minutes of England's defeat on Tuesday with a thigh problem. Sturridge has played for Liverpool with the injury recently but he limped out of England training the day before the international friendly and his manager, Brendan Rodgers, is concerned at the possible repercussions for Liverpool at Goodison Park.

He admits it was the £12m striker's decision to face Germany. "He'd not played the previous game [against Chile] so I was not overly surprised he played the full 90 minutes against Germany," Rodgers said. "It's not ideal if you haven't trained. When you see Daniel – and I have worked with him for a number of months, I know when he's at his best – that's when he has been training regularly and playing games.

"He's been playing through with a dead leg and went to England with an injury. Sometimes managers are led by players. Sometimes they want to play 90 minutes and that's something we'll take into consideration. We'll assess him. He's back recovering and we'll see where he is over the next few days."

Sturridge and Steven Gerrard, who has a hip problem, did not train on Thursday but Rodgers confirmed that was routine after an international break. "He would not have been able to train the second day after a game anyway," the manager said. "Usually first day after is recovery and second is a more active recovery outside, which he's done, but he didn't train with the group."

One certain absentee against Everton, and for the next few months, is José Enrique. The left-back has been struggling with a knee problem all season and is to undergo surgery after a period of rest failed to remedy the injury. Rodgers said: "We've tried various ways to get him fit but he needs an operation. I'm not sure how long he'll be out."

Liverpool have sacked their highly rated academy director, Frank McParland, and academy technical director, Rodolfo Borrell, as part of an overhaul of the club's youth system. McParland has overseen a major improvement in Liverpool's academy since being recruited to the director's position by the former manager Rafael Benítez in 2009 and his departure represents a major surprise. Borrell was also hired by Benítez in 2009, from Barcelona's famed youth ranks, and his work had led to promotion from under-18s coach to under-21 manager and finally technical director 12 months ago.

Seven youth team graduates appeared in Liverpool's first team last season, notably Raheem Sterling. Parland was instrumental in recruiting the England international from Queens Park Rangers and in attracting several coveted youngsters to the Liverpool academy.

Rodgers declined to elaborate on the sackings but has taken the unusual step of addressing speculation linking Liverpool with a January move for the Derby County midfielder Will Hughes. The 18-year-old scored for England Under-21s against San Marino this week and was again linked with a switch to Anfield.

He said: "I never normally say anything about players but I do really feel for this young guy. It is something which has been ongoing and I don't normally comment on speculation but I will because I have the interest of the player at heart.

"This is a kid who, if he picks up the paper every weekend, sees he is linked with coming to Liverpool. This is a very talented young player but either some person or a group of people aren't doing him any favours whatsoever by constantly linking him with coming to Liverpool.

"I read we had put in a bid or something had been agreed and there is nothing further from the truth. There is no bid. There has been nothing.

"This is a young kid learning the game, he is at an outstanding club at Derby, he has a great manager there and we sent one of our young players [Andre Wisdom] there to develop and learn. I think Will Hughes is a wonderful young talent who just needs to play football and for me he is probably at the best place he could be. We are always looking for talent – young players, senior players, and he along with many other players is probably one we've looked at."