Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Daniel Sturridge is unlikely to make his return from injury in Wednesday night’s League Cup clash against Bournemouth.
Sturridge is set to continue his spell on the sidelines as Liverpool prepare to take on relegation battlers Bournemouth in the League Cup on Wednesday night.
Speaking to reporters at Melwood on Tuesday afternoon, Klopp reiterated that “he is getting better, but not quick enough to change the situation for us.”
“He’s not training, so we just have to wait,” he explained.
Sturridge is yet to feature under the German, after sustaining a knee injury in an innocuous collision with Jordon Ibe in training at the beginning of October.
The 26-year-old’s absence will be offset by the return of Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, however.
The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe reports that both of Liverpool’s big-money summer signings will start as Klopp plots his first victory in charge of the Reds.
Benteke scored a powerful header in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, marking his first appearance in the Premier League since being withdrawn midway through September’s stalemate at home to Norwich City.
With Divock Origi representing Klopp’s only other senior attacking option following injury to Sturridge and Danny Ings, Benteke’s return is a welcome relief.
Firmino, signed for £29 million in the summer, is yet to impose himself on the Liverpool first team after suffering a back injury in the Reds’ previous League Cup tie against Carlisle United last month.
After two encouraging cameo performances against Rubin Kazan and Southampton, Firmino will be hoping to make an impression on Wednesday night.
Both should feature in an altered starting lineup, as Klopp confirmed he would make some changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
“It’s a very important game, but I know we had three games in the last eight or nine days. So of course we have to change,” he continued.
“We have injured players, we have players with little problems that we don’t want to risk.
“We will see who can train today, who can train tomorrow then we will make this team for tomorrow evening.”
Bournemouth have shipped 10 goals in their last two games, losing three of their last four, and it is likely that manager Eddie Howe will focus his efforts on the Premier League, as he plots to keep his fledging Cherries side from relegation.
This allows Klopp and his Liverpool side the perfect opportunity to play their way into form.
Benteke and Firmino can both play a major role in doing so.
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