Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge's planned comeback for Manchester United clash ruled out

Liverpool have suffered yet another blow ahead of their match against Manchester United on 12 September after Daniel Sturridge's planned comeback for one of their most important games of the season was ruled out. The England international forward has pencilled in the game at Old Trafford to make his comeback from long-standing hip and thigh injuries, but will now have to watch the game from the sidelines.

According to the Mirror, the striker failed to recover enough to rejoin first-team training this week, which would have ensured enough time to prepare for the game against the 20-time English champions. Sturridge is now expected to return to full training only next week, leaving it too short to recover completely to take part in a game of high intensity against their arch nemesis.

The 26-year-old forward returned to Liverpool's Melwood training complex at the start of August to continue his rehabilitation from a hip surgery. The initial diagnosis suggested that the player would not return to action until November, but positive updates from the striker during his recovery process meant, he could be starting his first game for Liverpool as early as October.

The report claims that the forward has been doing individual work at the training ground and is not yet ready to return to full contact training with the first-team. This will be a big set-back for the Merseyside club, who were hoping to have one of their top stars fit for the crunch clash against the Red Devils.

This is the third blow for Liverpool in the space of a week ahead of their clash against the 20-time English champions as apart from Sturridge being absent they will also be without Philippe Coutinho, while Christian Benteke has also suffered a thigh injury, which will be another worry for manager Brendan Rodgers.