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Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has declared himself fit to start the Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.

The Reds’ frontman was injured for the 1-1 draw at Anfield back in September but has scored three goals in his last two outings against Everton.

Sturridge, who made a goalscoring comeback after five months out against West Ham last Saturday, said: “First and foremost I’m excited. It’s my favourite game, I love it.

“The feeling in the city is completely different when you’re playing that game, the energy and everything.

“I’m looking forward to it. Whether I’m going to play or not that’s the manager’s decision but I’m ready for anything the manager wants to do.

“I feel I’m ready to start but it’s down to the manager to pick the team.

“I’ve had a week and a bit’s worth of training as well as the two games I’ve come on in and played a part.

“I’m looking forward to getting back into it, playing 90 minutes and performing as best as I can.”

The game is expected to be Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard’s last Merseyside Derby match – unless the two rivals are paired against each other in the latter stages of the Europa League – and Sturridge admits that the skipper will be a big loss to the Reds when he departs at the end of the season.

He said: “It’s hard to put your finger on one thing that Steven does. The way he plays with his passing, his leadership on the pitch.

“He can score goals, he can tackle, he can do everything.

“Aside from that there’s the leadership qualities in the dressing room and at the training ground.

“There’s that respect from every player for what he’s done in the game and what he still does.

“There are not many players out there playing in the game who have achieved what he has.”