text: Daniel Sturridge faces a fight to be fit for Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Sunday after being left out of their game against Newcastle United with an injury problem. Liverpool striker Sturridge was left out of the squad entirely for Monday night's Barclays Premier League clash at Anfield after picking up a knock against Blackburn Rovers last week. And now manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that his star striker, who has missed much of the season through injury, will have his fitness monitored ahead of the Wembley clash on Sunday. Daniel Sturridge faces a fight to be fit for Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on Sunday . Liverpool striker Sturridge was left out of the squad entirely on Monday after being taken off at Blackburn . When asked about why Sturridge was absent from his squad, Rodgers said: 'He got injured at Blackburn. '(He is) obviously unavailable fitness-wise for tonight, so we'll see how he goes for the rest of the week for the semi-final at the weekend.' The Cup provides Liverpool's last hope of silverware in Steven Gerrard's final season at Anfield, and the Reds captain could return at Wembley after seeing out the last game of his suspension against Newcastle. Manager Brendan Rodgers said that his star striker would be monitored ahead of the semi-final at Wembley . Steven Gerrard could return at Wembley after seeing out the last game of his suspension against Newcastle . Liverpool are already without Mamadou Sakho, Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli through injury and illness but retain hopes of a top four spot in the Premier League with Manchester City having suffered a recent slump. Sunday's 4-2 defeat for City by Manchester United put Liverpool in a position to move within four points of the fourth-placed side, and Rodgers said his side can still make it into next season's Champions League. 'There’s still 21 points to work hard for and get,' he said on Sky Sports. 'It’s clear that it’s still open but there’s a lot of work to do and ahead of us, obviously, is a difficult game tonight.' Marouane Fellaini scored as Manchester City were crushed 4-2 on Sunday, and now Liverpool can close in .
target: Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is missing for game against Newcastle .
  Brendan Rodgers says he will be monitored ahead of FA Cup semi-final .
  Liverpool face Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon .
  Rodgers also said he believes the race for the top four is not over yet .