After reports surfaced on Tuesday that Daniel Sturridge has suffered a thigh injury, Liverpool have confirmed that their star striker has a new setback.
Sturridge, 25, was supposed to be returning to the Liverpool squad this Sunday for their game at Crystal Palace (Watch live, CNBC, 8:30 a.m. ET and online via Live Extra) but this new setback now means he could miss up to six weeks and may not return until January at the earliest.
The English forward initially suffered a thigh strain on international duty in September which kept him out for a month and just as he was about to return for Liverpool against QPR in October, Sturridge injured his calf. In a statement on their website on Wednesday, Liverpool had the following to say.“Liverpool Football Club today confirmed scans have revealed Daniel Sturridge has sustained a new thigh injury. The player will remain unavailable for selection but will be monitored and assessed during his recovery.”
Sturridge has only played three times in the Premier League this season and has scored just one goal. That came on the opening day of the season against Southampton and the former Chelsea and Manchester City star has not played in the PL since Aug. 31. His absence combined with the poor form of summer signings Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert (who have both yet to score a PL goal for the Reds) has coincided with Liverpool sitting in 11th spot in the standings and their UEFA Champions League dreams are in ruins.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are 15 points off leaders Chelsea and without Sturridge for another extended period of time, expect more tough times to come.