Jürgen Klopp has shared his understanding regarding the Daniel Sturridge injury saga as he reveals he is unaware as to when the player will return.
Klopp speaking at his pre-match press conference of his side's Emirates FA Cup fourth round clash with West Ham United could not offer a date as to when the striker will be ready to feature for his side with the player still sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Sturridge has been out of action since December after the Reds succumbed to a 2-0 away defeat at the hands of Newcastle in the Premier League, as he complained of an hamstring issue, his return date has been pushed back several times which has severely hampered the 26-year-old's season.
Return date
Sturridge is currently in the midst of an injury hell at Liverpool with the player having already missed 54.8% of his 1,122 days on Merseyside.
The former Chelsea man's casualty crisis is not set to alleviate soon as Klopp has revealed he "does not know" when the player will return but confirmed he will sit-out the next two fixtures.
He said: "He is not here. He cannot play tomorrow for sure, not against Leicester. I do not know what happens after [Leicester], to be honest."
With the player's comeback date still in question, red flags have arose regarding the players status at the club with a £25million pound move away from Anfield being reported in recent days.
Consistency needed
Klopp has stated that Sturridge will miss the following two fixtures starting with the FA Cup tie with West Ham tomorrow and the upcoming Premier League match with Leicester City.
The former Manchester City trainee has failed to reveal his full potential these past two years as he has featured just in just six matches this season.
Klopp said "He has done a lot of sessions in the last few weeks but it is always interrupted with a few breaks. He needs consistency in the sessions and that’s what we try to do."
Injuries normal for Sturridge
The striker was bemoaned by the German in a previous press conference with the manager showing frustrated over the forward's injury issues.
Klopp believed the injury-prone player should learn the difference between "serious pain" and "only pain" in what was one of the 48-year-old's most revealing press conferences.
Continuing on with the theme, the former Borussia Dortmund coach has said the fitness worry of Sturridge is "normal" rather than just a "coincidence".
With the player absent for the next two fixtures at least, only time will tell as to whether he will feature in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley in February in what will be Klopp's most significant contest to date.
The boys are coming in
A repeat of the side that saw of Exeter City in the last round is expected as the future stars of Liverpool get their rare chance to shine in front of a packed Anfield crowd.
Klopp is predicted to feature a limited number of established players and hand out opportunities for fringe players to show they deserve a future at the club - saying that he'll select "another young side", maintaining the belief that the boys he introduces, will "give everything" to the cause and help them progress to the Fifth Round.
Dejan Lovren is expected to return to fitness with centre-back Steven Caulker set to partner him in defence, the 24-year-old will make his first start for Liverpool since signing on loan from Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers.
Rumoured wantaway striker Jerome Sinclair could feature despite being linked with a £3million move to Watford this winter window, the 19-year-old's contract expires in the summer but it is believed that the forward wants to leave in search of first-team action as soon as possible.