Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says that the Reds need to take extra care of Daniel Sturridge's fitness so that he does not pick up another serious injury.
The 25-year-old striker, who recently returned after five months on the sidelines due to injury, was taken off in the 105th minute during Liverpool's defeat to Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday.
Although Sturridge is expected to start for Liverpool's clash against Manchester City on Saturday, Rodgers has warned that the Reds need to be careful with his fitness.
"We just have to manage Daniel," said Rodgers, according to ESPN. "He had given everything in the game. It's maybe easier to look at it from the outside and say he could have continued to play, but you've got to remember this is a player coming back from five months out (sic) injured."
"He's someone who is gaining his fitness in the games, and we have to be really careful that he doesn't break."
"Daniel's history shows that he's got a past in terms of injuries, so we have to try to manage that in the very best way that we can."
The Northern Irishman went on to reveal the reason why Sturridge was substituted in extra time against Besiktas.
"There was no more left in his legs. We just needed to take him off to prevent him getting an injury while he was very, very tired."
Meanwhile, Rodgers revealed that Jordan Henderson may be fit to face Manchester City on Sunday after missing Reds' Europa League trip to Turkey with a minor ankle problem.
Philippe Coutinho, who also missed that game with a knock, is also available for Sunday's Premier League clash against the defending English champions, according to the Northern Irishman.
"It's going to be similar to what we had the other night. We'll assess one or two of the boys who have been out. Jordan Henderson is one we'll have a look at. We'll see how he is. Phil Coutinho will be fine. But the rest will be as it was," added Rodgers.
