Although there’s yet to be an official update from the club regarding the fitness of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge, according to Liverpool ECHO writer and Anfield insider James Pearce, the 25-year old faces between two to three weeks on the sidelines after scans confirmed his thigh injury will require time to heal.
Thankfully, it’s not quite as bad as the four months being touted in the immediate aftermath of the injury, but Reds fans all over the world will be incensed nonetheless. After linking up well with club-mate Raheem Sterling during England’s 1-0 win over Norway, the striker hobbled out of training with a thigh problem prior to the Three Lion’s Euro 2016 qualifying match with Switzerland.
Sturridge will certainly be out of commission when Aston Villa travel to Anfield this weekend along with Liverpool’s first Champions League match since 2099 when they play host to Bulgarian side PFC Ludogrets the following Tuesday. Realistically, the club looks to be targeting the first Merseyside Derby of the season on September 27th as a realistic return date for the striker — which means that he’ll also miss out on next weekend’s meeting with West Ham United and the Reds League Cup clash with Championship side Middlesbrough.
Mario Balotelli is expected to take the reigns in the absence of the 25-year old, but with the Italian striker still re-adjusting to life in the Premier League, it could be tough going for Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers if his newest charge doesn’t produce the goods. Adam Lallana is also expected to make his competitive debut for his new side this weekend, but after missing almost all of pre-season through injury, some rust is expected from the former Southampton captain.
More on this as the club confirms these suspicions…
