Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is unsure if striker Daniel Sturridge will be fit enough to play again this season.
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Sturridge, who has endured an injury-plagued campaign, has missed the last three games with a hip problem and will again be absent for tonight’s trip to Hull.
Rodgers said: “It has been difficult for Daniel. Daniel is a good lad who obviously wants to play and be working and helping the team.
“But it has just been one of those seasons where he has been very unfortunate and he has missed out.
“It is just the key now to see if we can get him back fit and consisten-tly playing. We will see if that is this season or the pre-season.”
New striker is a Liverpool summer priority, but might be tough getting quality to team w an injured Sturridge and an undecided Sterling #LFC
— Adrian Melville (@AdrianMelville) April 27, 2015
Sturridge, 25, spent five months on the sidelines earlier this season with thigh and calf injuries. He scored 24 times for the Reds last term and his absences have been keenly felt, compounding the loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
The alternative strikers Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini have all failed to impress and strengthening the attack is likely to be a priority this summer.
Rodgers added: “If you look at the numbers in terms of where we are at, after 33 games we have 47 goals. At the same point last year, after 33, we had 90. You are nearly talking about a 100 per cent deficit.”
Victory at the KC Stadium would take the Reds back within four points of fourth-placed United with four more games to play.
Some Liverpool supporters are organising a boycott of the game in protest at the rising cost of tickets and Hull manager Steve Bruce said: “I feel sorry for the supporters of big clubs who have to dig deep every week and I hope when the new TV money comes into play the Premier League can remember football does belong to supporters.”
