Daniel Sturridge Reveals Mental Challenge as Injury Absence Continues

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge has spoken of the mental challenge of battling through injury as the 25-year-old continues to recover from a thigh problem which has kept him out of action since early September.

Sturridge suffered the setback while training with England on 5 September, less than 48 hours after playing 89 minutes in the friendly win over Norway, a move which was heavily criticised by Reds manager Brendan Rodgers.

Without Sturridge, Liverpool have won just three times in seven matches and the forward admits it has been difficult to watch his team toil as his recovery from injury looks set to enter a sixth week.

Accompanied by an image of several goal celebrations, Sturridge wrote on Instagram: "Can't wait for these moments again. Winning games and scoring goals is the motto. Don't think people realise how hard it is mentally being injured.

"I've had a lot of time to reflect. Can't wait to be back!! Best feeling is to be playing football and I take it for granted when your fit."

Sturridge was left out of the England squad for the European Championship qualifying double header against San Marino and Estonia, despite being tipped to return for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion last weekend.

The former Chelsea striker eventually missed the game but is now on course to return for the trip to Queens Park Rangers on 19 October after the international break.

The loss of Sturridge has derailed Liverpool's start to the campaign, with Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini failing to provide adequate support in his absence.

Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson both scored to help beat West Brom but Rodgers is still expecting more from his team.

"Performance-wise we've still got a way to go," he said after the 2-1 win at Anfield. "The speed of our game, movement in our game [and] intensity in our game is still developing and improving.

"I'd rather have that now and get better and better as the season goes on, but whilst searching it is important to find a way to win.

"The players have got remarkable character. It was a very important win for us today, hopefully we'll come back from the international break to what we were at Tottenham with a full squad to pick from."