In news that isn’t all too surprising at all, Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has remained on Merseyside after the 26-year old was left out of the Reds squad that will face off with West Ham United at Upton Park tomorrow.
Although there was a suggestion from boss Jurgen Klopp that he could play some part in the meeting with the Hammers tomorrow, the German remains cautious of throwing the injury prone hit-man back in to the fray too soon lest he pull up with yet another niggling knock — a sight that has become all too familiar. In the middle of a “mini pre-season” to up his fitness and keep the kind of muscle strains that have plagued him for the last year and a half at bay, Sturridge has been out of action since the shock 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in November.
“I am not holding Daniel back, I am trying to get him fit,” said the Reds manager.
“He has trained intensively and seems OK but now we must see how he reacts. I want to have him in the best shape, that is all,” he continued. “The best thing would be another two weeks but earlier might be possible. The main thing is not to bring him back too soon and have him pick up another injury. We just have to be patient.”
Following the win over Leicester City at Anfield last weekend, Sturridge tweeted that he’d returned to full training and that he was “good to go”, much to the bemusement of not only the Liverpool faithful, but of the manager as well. Klopp was quick to publicly remind the 26-year old that he’s the one who will dictate when he returns to action and it appears that the trip to East London has come too soon for him — which likely means that Christian Benteke will retain his place up top against West Ham.
