Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was delighted with Daniel Sturridge's goalscoring performance in victory over Crystal Palace.
Sturridge's volley four minutes into the second half cancelled out Fraizer Campbell's opener before Adam Lallana completed the turnaround to book Liverpool's place in the quarter-finals.
"He's working his way back, it's just about extending his game time," Rodgers said.
"I've got to do that because you risk re-injuring him and that's something we can't afford.
"You can see his qualities - his speed, his touch and he doesn't need too many chances to score.
"He should have had a penalty today, it looked a clear penalty, he looks really bright.
"The team is functioning at a high level at the moment and him coming back gives us a big boost in this part of the season."
