With Daniel Sturridge withdrawn shortly after scoring in Liverpool’s 3-0 pre-season win over Bayern Munich, Jurgen Klopp is left fearing another injury.
Sturridge lifted the ball over Sven Ulreich to seal the Reds’ Audi Cup semi-final victory on Tuesday night, setting up a clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
But three minutes after scoring, Sturridge was limping down the tunnel at the Allianz Arena, replaced by summer signing Dominic Solanke.
The 27-year-old has been training hard throughout the summer to reach peak fitness, but speaking after the game in Munich, Klopp admitted he was left hoping Sturridge isn’t injured.
“I can’t say, he hurt his thigh. He has really prepared well,” he told reporters.
“I just hope that it’s just a small injury and that he can play again soon.
“The goal was really great, you could see how fast he is. It’s a shame, I hope that it’s nothing serious.”
Sturridge is now likely to miss Wednesday night’s clash with Diego Simeone’s Atletico, but speaking to reporters in the mixed zone at the Allianz, the striker provided a positive update:
Daniel Sturridge in very good spirits walking through the mixed zone. Said "nah, it's nothing serious" when I asked about his injury.#LFC
— Melissa Reddy (@MelissaReddy_) August 1, 2017
Having endured a lengthy injury-dogged spell on Merseyside in recent years, the hope is that it is simply a precaution for the striker, and he is back fit and firing soon.
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