A few weeks ago it was suggested that today’s meeting with Arsenal would be the match that Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge would return from his “mini-preseason” training regime, but it comes as no surprise that the Reds will once again be without the 26-year old, who has been the subject of increased media speculation with his future at Anfield being called in to question, when the Gunners come to town.
“Daniel had some problems, not serious, but could not make a session and we had to wait a day,” Klopp said ahead of the meeting with Stoke City in the League Cup just over a week ago.”It is how a pre-season can be. Some little things happen and we have to handle this,” he continued. “When he is fit, we will pick him, but at this moment because he didn’t have one session with the team he’s not available. I will pick him when he is ready, I will not hold him back.”
The German manager wasn’t too keen on talking about Sturridge in his pre-match press call ahead of Arsenal’s visit, but he did confirm that when Divock Origi, who is another casualty of Liverpool’s ongoing injury crisis, went under the knife, it wasn’t quite as serious as initially feared — though he’ll still be out for a few more weeks to come.
“It wasn’t really surgery, it was a clean-up of his knee,” explained Klopp. “It was a little thing to do and we thought it was a good moment to do it – not the best of course, but because of his other injury we took the time,” continued the Reds boss, stressing that this had nothing to do with his hamstring injury. “Now he is back and everything is okay. He is on time and hopefully we can use him in a few weeks.”
