LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, October 17, 2016: Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge before the FA Premier League match against Manchester United at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Daniel Sturridge returns to Liverpool training after spell out with illness

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has returned to first-team training with the Reds on Tuesday, after a stint on the sidelines with illness.

Sturridge left the squad’s mid-season training camp in La Manga two days early, with his condition failing to improve despite his wish to take part in double sessions in Spain.

This was a precaution to ensure that the 27-year-old was able to recover in time for Monday night’s clash with Premier League champions Leicester City.

With just under a week to go before the trip to the King Power Stadium, Sturridge has reported for training at Melwood, and is expect to be back in contention against the Foxes.

He has played just 136 minutes of football in the league since the turn of the year, having dropped down the pecking order under Jurgen Klopp.

But nevertheless, his availability is a boost for the Reds, as they look to build on their 2-0 win at home to Tottenham Hotspur last time out.

Sturridge is likely to make the substitutes’ bench in the East Midlands, with Roberto Firmino due to continue in his role as Liverpool’s first-choice striker.

However, Klopp could opt to alternate his attacking options, with Sturridge impressing up front against Leicester back in September.

LEIGH, ENGLAND - Tuesday, October 18, 2016: Liverpool's Marko Grujic warms-up before the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match against Manchester United at Leigh Sports Village. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Marko Grujic (hamstring) is also due back in training this week, with the Serbian having spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

He has featured for just one minute in the league since making the £5.1 million move from Red Star Belgrade in the summer, with Klopp taking a cautious approach to his adjustment.

But Grujic’s return will be a boost for the 49-year-old, who will be able to rotate his midfield options further, joining the likes of Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Georginio Wijnaldum and Emre Can.

Ovie Ejaria (ankle) remains on the treatment table however, along with Danny Ings (knee) and Adam Bogdan (ACL), while Dejan Lovren is still a doubt for Monday night.

The centre-back flew to Germany to see a specialist on a knee injury that has persisted throughout the season, after missing the trip to La Manga in the hope he would recover.

There is still time for Lovren to make his return to the squad, but it seems unlikely he will start against Leicester, having already missed the Reds’ last two league outings, against Hull City and Spurs.

Otherwise, however, Klopp has a full-strength senior squad to call upon, as he looks to put together a long winning run before the end of the season in May.

More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments