Daniel Sturridge will return to action at Upton Park tonight, trying to prove to Liverpool once again that he is fit enough to be relied upon.
Sturridge's injuries have hung over Liverpool all season, with Jurgen Klopp's forthright comments that the striker must play through the pain barrier having alienated the player.
Sturridge's last appearance for Liverpool was two months ago, and he has only started four games this season. But he will play some part in the FA Cup fourth-round replay against West Ham United this evening, as may Philippe Coutinho, after a one-month lay-off of his own.
Klopp spoke very positively about Sturridge yesterday afternoon. The Liverpool manager said the player had been training well since recovering from his hamstring injury and that everyone now hoped he was free from his long-standing injury problems.
“I think everyone hopes this, Daniel hopes it, I hope it,” Klopp said. “That is absolutely normal, what we tried to do after the last injury. That is what we have to do. It always sounds like a criticism, but it is only a description of the situation, nothing else. In this moment, it is thumbs up.”
Klopp said that Sturridge was so “impressive” in training on Friday that he forced his way on to the bench for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Sunderland. “When we saw him in training, you knew why everybody is waiting for him,” Klopp said.
Klopp's comments that Sturridge needs to play through the pain barrier have upset the England striker and the manager sought to put any disagreements behind them in an effort to aim for a more united future.
“Now, if it is possible, let's not think about the past and how it was,” Klopp said. “Maybe we can start now. It is possible, then everything will be good. Hopefully in one year, we don't want to talk about this any more.”
Liverpool also hope to welcome Coutinho back into the squad tonight, after one month out with a hamstring injury.
The possibility of extra-time and penalties will inform how much Sturridge, Coutinho and Divock Origi can play. “Divock and Phil will hopefully be in the squad tomorrow,” Klopp said. “It will be complicated, because extra-time is possible. We have to look at who will start. Certainly they can't all start together.”
The final piece of good news for Klopp concerns his own fitness. He has recovered well from surgery for appendicitis and will be on the touchline at Upton Park, even if he will not be quite as mobile as he sometimes is.
“The surgeon was great, a Liverpool season ticket holder,” Klopp said. “I am feeling really good, that is why I am here. If I wasn't fit, I would be at home. I am experienced enough to know it's not a normal coaching game. I won't jump around, because I have a few holes in my body.”
Slaven Bilic, West Ham's equally passionate and charismatic manager, said that Klopp's return was inevitable. “He will be back because he's like that, he would be back even if they were top of the table and 10 points clear.
“The situation has not forced him to jump out of bed and go back to training. But he's a successful man who likes to work, he's Jürgen Klopp. For him it's natural. If he wants to be back, he will.”
West Ham LiverpoolProbable Upton Park teams
Kick-off 7.45pm Referee R East (Wiltshire)
Television BT Sport 2
*Winners travel to Blackburn in the fifth round – The Independent