Gerrard and Sturridge close to fitness

Liverpool have been handed an fitness boost ahead of their New Year’s Day clash with Hull City with both Steven Gerrard and Daniel Sturridge likely to return to first team action ahead of schedule, the Mirror understands.

Reds’ skipper Gerrard has been out for the past three weeks with a hamstring injury, while Sturridge was injured in training back in November and despite reports suggesting that they would be absent until around mid-January, they could make the match day squad for tomorrow’s match at Anfield, where Brendan Rodgers’ men are aiming to bounce back from two straight defeats.

Meanwhile, the Liverpool manager has played down links between the club and Barcelona forward Cristian Tello, according to the Independent.

The Spain international has regularly been linked with a move to Anfield in 2013, with him struggling to hold down a first team place with the La Liga champions.

The 22 year old has started two league games this season, with most of his appearances coming as a substitute, while his only goal came in a cameo appearance against Celtic in the Champions League.

Rodgers has insisted that no deals are imminent, though the club are working to identify targets as they attempt to get their top four challenge back on track.