Daniel Sturridge Injury: Updates on Liverpool Star's Thigh and Return

Daniel Sturridge's injury riddled season has finally gotten underway. The striker returned to the Liverpool lineup on Jan. 31.

Continue for updates.

Saturday, Jan. 31

Sturridge Returns vs. West Ham

Liverpool's official Twitter feed reported that Sturridge made his first appearance of the season on Saturday, subbing on in the second half:

Sturridge was initially on the bench for the team's game against West Ham on Saturday:

Earlier in the day, the Liverpool man shed light on a difference of opinion with the club's medical staff, which saw Sturridge denied the opportunity to help the Reds get to Wembley against Chelsea. 

Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph provided the quotes:

"

I could have played in that semi-final, and it was the most difficult thing for me.

I went to London with the team. I wanted to push myself and I wanted it so bad. It was the management who made the decision. I argued my case, but at the end of the day they made the best decision for us going forward, for the club, for myself. I can't be too upset with the decision they made.

"

Thursday, Jan. 29

'Outstanding' Sturridge Has Been Missed, Says Rodgers

Brendan Rodgers has signalled just how much the Reds have missed Sturridge's influence this season, per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo:

Rodgers' positive soundbites hint the striker will be ready to play some part when West Ham arrive on Saturday.

Tuesday, Jan. 27

Sturridge Out vs. Chelsea

Liverpool's official Twitter feed reported that Sturridge was out of the team's clash with Chelsea in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday: 

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reported on Jan. 26 that Brendan Rodgers would assess Sturridge's fitness prior to the clash:

Saturday, Jan. 24

Sturridge Expected Back vs. West Ham

According to This is Anfield, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers expects to have Sturridge back for the team's clash with West Ham on Jan. 31:

"

“Daniel’s at a really good level of fitness,” Rodgers told BT Sport. “He’ll only have a couple of day’s training before the Chelsea game, but he’ll be ready for West Ham.”

“He’s working really hard and that will be a huge boost for us.”

 

"

Thursday, Jan. 22

No FA Cup Return for Sturridge

Brendan Rodgers has revealed Sturridge won't even be fit enough for a bench spot as Liverpool host Bolton in the FA Cup, per the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

Thursday, Jan. 15

Villa Game Too Soon?

It appears Brendan Rodgers expects to do without Sturridge when Liverpool travel to Villa on Saturday, per Ian Herbert of the Independent:

Monday, Jan. 12

Sturridge Hints at Return to Training

Liverpool's lethal forward got fans of the club excited on Monday, posting on Instagram what appeared to be a picture of himself in training gear as he nears a playing return:

Thursday, Jan. 8

Sturridge to Return to UK Shores

Sturridge's long-awaited return to the Liverpool starting XI is edging closer after he confirmed on Twitter that his rehabilitation period in the US is over:

Tony Barrett of the Times had more from Brendan Rodgers: 

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Sturridge Set for Mid-January Return

Brendan Rodgers has outlined the plan for Sturridge's return to the Liverpool first team, revealing he should only be missing for another couple of weeks, per Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Sturridge to Spend Christmas Rehabbing in U.S.

According to Sam Wallace of the Independent, Sturridge will spend Christmas overseas:

Sunday, Dec. 14

Sturridge Unfit to Return

Liverpool confirmed Sturridge is still not ready to play vs. Manchester United today:

"

Here's the full #LFC starting line-up and substitutes to face Manchester United. Kick-off is 1.30pm GMT. pic.twitter.com/k9pW7FKZ2s

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 14, 2014"

Thursday, Dec. 4

Sturridge Sent Stateside for Rehab

According to Carl Markham of the Press Association, Sturridge has been sent to the U.S. to continue his rehab:

Tuesday, Nov. 25

Sturridge Vows to Return Stronger

Liverpool fans may not see Sturridge again this year, but the talented forward has vowed to be a better version of himself when he does return, via his personal Instagram. Sturridge wrote:

"

Through all this I'm growing as a man and an athlete. Everybody goes through things in their life that can make or break them. This for me is just another hurdle to jump over. Another door to break down. I'll be back soon enough strong and ready to play. Thanks to everyone for your support. 

"

Friday, Nov. 21

Liverpool Launch Investigation Into Injury

Brendan Rodgers revealed the Reds will take an extensive look into Sturridge's thigh problem, insisting the latest blow could not have been avoided, per the Daily Mirror's David Maddock:

"

I think that's his ninth injury on that thigh from previous clubs and here. So there is an issue there somewhere.

It is obviously something the medical team are now looking into. He felt the pain and then when the medical team told me the next day after the scan. It was disappointing.

[...] This shows a slight tear just below where he had a previous injury. It was in a session and quite an innocuous action, he did it when he just flicked the ball, it wasn't a shot or anything that looked serious.

"

Rodgers added during Friday's pre-game presser ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace, per Liverpool Echo's James Pearce:

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Sturridge Out Until New Year

Striker Daniel Sturridge has developed a fresh thigh injury to further disrupt his 2014-15 campaign. Liverpool announced that the striker would miss time with a thigh issue:

"

Liverpool Football Club today confirmed scans have revealed Daniel Sturridge has sustained a new thigh injury.

The player will remain unavailable for selection but will be monitored and assessed during his recovery.

"

Ian Herbert of the Independent reports Sturridge is unlikely to play again this year:

James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo reported a more precise timeline:

Sturridge was reported to be closing in on a return to fitness following a calf problem ahead of Sunday's trip to Crystal Palace.

Liverpool have struggled for a reliable presence up front without Sturridge for the majority of the season so far, with summer arrivals Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert struggling to make an impact.

It's also meant that Sturridge has missed all of England's Euro 2016 qualification campaign thus far. Pearce provided quotes from manager Roy Hodgson, who attempted to find some sense of positivity in the news:

Brendan Rodgers has been forced to make do without his talismanic forward this term, and Sturridge has made just three league appearances, scoring one goal.

Balotelli is yet to net a Premier League goal for the Reds since swapping Milan for Merseyside, but Sturridge's absence will mean the Reds—currently 11th in the league—face further doubt up front.

Mike Stobe/Getty Images

David Lynch of the Manchester Evening News noted the failure of certain summer arrivals to acclimate:

"

@plmrgn It's just been as simple as a failure of personnel in my eyes. Balotelli, Lovren needed to work in Sturridge absence. Not even close

— David Lynch (@DavidLynchMEN) November 18, 2014"

As a result of the injury, there will be more responsibility lying with the likes of Lazar Markovic, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling to help in the goals department.

The main focus falls on Balotelli, however. Sturridge's job, when fit, has been to provide a focal point to the attack, especially following Luis Suarez's summer exit, something he does well with an excellent touch and underrated hold-up play.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Balotelli needs to provide the work ethic and intelligence to act as the foil to the likes of Sterling and Co., ensuring Liverpool's attack doesn't lose its edge all over again without Sturridge.

The injury puts the Reds' chances of a top-four finish in further doubt. Having struggled to even stay in touch with the top half of the table during Sturridge's first injury spell this season, this new setback hampers Rodgers' hopes even further.