Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has been ruled out of Saturday’s
FA Cup tie with West Ham at Anfield as Jurgen Klopp confirmed that
Daniel Sturridge’s long injury absence will continue.
Henderson
will rest the heel complaint that has troubled him since the start of
the season in the hope of being fit for Tuesday’s league trip to
Leicester City.
“Hendo can’t be an option (this weekend),” Klopp said.
“He did really well for the team in a very difficult time with a long term injury and still having problems, always pain.
“We
are in a really good way with him but we need to use these days,
yesterday, today, tomorrow, and then he will have recovered after an
intensive time.”
Sturridge has still been unable to put together
sufficient time on the training pitch to convince Klopp that he’s ready
to make a comeback.
The England international has missed the past
13 matches since suffering a hamstring strain at Newcastle on December
6. He has also complained of a sore knee in recent weeks.
It emerged this week that the injury-plagued frontman, who has played
just 106 minutes of football under Klopp, has been unavailable for 55%
of the time since his move from Chelsea three years ago.
“There is no news,” Klopp said.
“He’s still working. Sometimes it’s better, sometimes it’s worse because of one or other issues.
“He has done some good sessions these past few weeks but always interrupted with different issues so where we have to wait.
“He
needs consistentcy in these sessions, which is always what we try to
do. Something is not right if you are that often injured. We have to be
really sensitive with all the information we get.
“We have to try and build up fitness. That’s how it is.
“Everybody
in this room know Daniel much better than myself. I saw him playing a
few times and in training but that’s all. There is no doubt about his
quality.
Daniel Sturridge
shakes hands with Jurgen Klopp as he is substituted during the Capital
One Cup quarter final match against Southampton on December 2, 2015 -
Liverpool have severely missed his striking talents (Photo by Michael
Steele/Getty Images)
“He’s a very good player but in this moment he is not
available so we don’t have to talk too much about him. He cannot play
tomorrow or against Leicester.”
Klopp confirmed that both Dejan
Lovren and Steven Caulker are set to start against West Ham, while
Nathaniel Clyne could feature after missing the midweek drama against
Stoke with a knee injury. Philippe Coutinho is still out but making good
progress after a hamstring injury.
“Dejan is good news,” Klopp said.
“He is now back and Steven is available. He’s like a new player for us.
“Coutinho
is close to returning to training, when he’s finished his last few
sessions with the rehab staff he will be back on the pitch with us.
“Nathaniel
is much better. It was knee against knee - really painful. We asked
where was the pain from one to 10 and he said seven. Oohhh, that showed
he should rest. Hopefully it will be down to zero for Saturday.”
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