Jurgen Klopp’s indicated that Liverpool will have to start treating Daniel Sturridge differently in training in order to build up his resistance and make him more durable.
Because a less durable footballer, there is not.
After making his comeback for Klopp at home to Southampton, scoring twice, the 26-year-old pulled a hamstring in the miserable loss to Newcastle – emphasising the worst day the German’s had at Liverpool so far.
Initial reports suggested he’d be out for the entire festive period, but actually – he could return for the Watford match in under two weeks according to Sky Sports – although we’re not holding out any hopes in all honesty.
“It’s a hamstring injury and it’s not easy to say when he is back for us,” Klopp told the pre-match press-conference in Switzerland, cited in the Echo.
“There are two different things we have to look on. The one is the injury and the other is how we bring him into shape so it’s not so intensive for him when he needs to train.
“The good thing with the muscle injury is he could start to run and all the others things he needs, but not play football.
“If you look at his history in the last month and year its not the longest time he could train.
“It is very important with all the games we have to find the specific point when it is possible to bring him for minutes and what makes more sense for his general shape.
“I can’t say what we will do exactly, but we have to look at it.
“The injury is not that serious but we have to build up his resistance. You have to cool down this situation a bit and help him be more resistant.
“That is how it is.”
Former players such as Ledley King and Paul McGrath basically never trained and just prepared themselves for matches, and after seven injuries in 18 months, it’s time we need to start considering Sturridge as a special case – as sad as it is to admit.
He’s all the talent in the world, but not the body to match it. It’s now time to focus on building a personalised regime that maximises Sturridge’s chance of playing for Liverpool Football Club.
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