Liverpool Injury News: Brendan Rodgers Says Daniel Sturridge May Need To See Specialist

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed Daniel Sturridge may need to see a specialist after suffering his "ninth" injury to the same thigh.

The 25-year-old striker was expected to return to action against Crystal Palace on Sunday after being out of action for two different injuries since the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on 31 August.

However Liverpool announced on Wednesday that the England international had suffered his third set-back in a row while training – with reports claiming he may be out of action for another six weeks.

"It happened in a session and it was quite innocuous. He did it when he just flicked the ball, it wasn't a shot or anything that looked serious. But obviously he felt the pain and then when the medical team told me the next day after the scan it was disappointing," Rodgers explained to Liverpool official website.

"Whether Daniel needs to see a specialist is something that the medical team are looking into. I think that's his ninth injury on that thigh from previous clubs and here so there is an issue there somewhere,

"The scan shows a slight tear just below where he had a previous injury."

With Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini failing to live up to expectations during Sturridge's absence and Liverpool currently in 11<sup>th Premier League place, Rodgers admits his frustration on Sturridge's latest setback – but urged his teammates to take a step forward during the coming games to overturn the situation.

"It's hugely disappointing to lose a player of that quality. Now we just have to concentrate and focus on the players we do have.

"It's that simple – make the best of what we have available. At this moment in time it's about what is within the squad because that's the players we have available.

"It will present an opportunity to the guys who have maybe been on the sidelines for quite a while."

Rodgers says the team have to put behind them Sturridge's injury but also Luis Suarez's departure and focus on the future.

"We can't worry about what we had last season or what we have lost. We have to look at the players we have. We have an exciting period of games coming up.

"We want to ensure we go back to our basics and be really hard to beat, strong and aggressive. We want to make an impact in front of goal. Now there's an opportunity for some players who didn't think they would get a chance."