You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Liverpool will have Raheem Sterling available for Saturday’s trip to Arsenal – but face an anxious wait to discover the extent of Daniel Sturridge’s hip injury.

Sterling returned to Merseyside following England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania on Friday, having been given permission to miss tomorrow’s friendly with Italy in Turin.

The 20-year-old has been troubled by a toe problem in recent weeks, but will train as normal at Melwood this week, and is expected to start at the Emirates, as his side look to revive their hopes of a top-four finish.

But while that news will come as a boost to Brendan Rodgers, the Reds boss could face a dilemma over the fitness of Sturridge.

The striker suffered a hip injury in the defeat to Manchester United eight days ago, which prevented him from linking up with Roy Hodgson’s England squad.

Fears Sturridge will miss a month are premature

Hodgson described the problem as “a slight tear” on Friday, though initial reports that Sturridge could be missing for up to a month are premature.

Indeed, Liverpool have not officially ruled him out of the Arsenal game at this stage, though they are likely to err on the side of caution, given the fact Sturridge has already lost five months to muscle injuries this season.

For Rodgers, losing his main striker for any length of time would be a significant blow. Sturridge has scored four times in 13 games since returning to action in January, and Rodgers remains unconvinced about the merits of any of the club’s other specialist strikers.

Returning Sterling to the forward line is an option, and one that has brought success this season, though with Steven Gerrard and Jordon Ibe both sidelined, and Adam Lallana forced to miss England duty with a groin problem, Rodgers is light on attacking midfield options too.

Lucas Leiva, Dejan Lovren and Lazar Markovic should all be available for the weekend, though Martin Skrtel’s suspension will necessitate changes in defence.

Liverpool know a defeat at Arsenal would all but end their hopes of securing Champions League football next season.

And with an FA Cup quarter-final replay at Blackburn Rovers immediately following Saturday’s game, Rodgers will be waiting anxiously to see if the rest of his international players, including vice-captain Jordan Henderson, come through this week’s round of matches unscathed.