Jurgen Klopp has hailed Daniel Sturridge’s role in Liverpool’s win over Everton despite lacking adequate fitness.
Sturridge made a late second half cameo which culminated in him setting up Sadio Mane as the Reds emerged victorious tbe 227th Merseyside derby.
It was the England international’s first senior outing since suffering a calf injury last month which ruled him out of the previous five games.
Klopp admitted that Sturridge’s place in his match day squad at Goodison Park came on the back of just two training sessions.
He said: “You’re thinking ‘Is he really ready for this?’, because it’s not usual that a player can really help you after only two sessions, but he really helped us at the end.
“It was really intense and bringing on fresh legs was a really good thing that we could do.
“Daniel hit the post, Sadio finished the situation, so great.
“It wasn’t the greatest football but you have to take it as it is and in the second half we took it.”