Daniel Sturridge Out vs. Watford with Thigh Injury Suffered vs. Bayern Munich

Daniel Sturridge is out of Liverpool's Premier League curtain-raiser against Watford on Saturday after failing to recover from the thigh injury he suffered during the win over Bayern Munich in the Audi Cup.

The club confirmed via its official website that Sturridge would miss Saturday's clash but is in line to return for the UEFA Champions League qualifier against TSG Hoffenheim on Tuesday.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: "Daniel had a fantastic pre-season, but it was a little thing. He is close—he was already close for this weekend, but now for Tuesday it is pretty sure he is ready."

Klopp also confirmed star man Philippe Coutinho, midfielder Adam Lallana and right-back Nathaniel Clyne will miss the trip to Vicarage Road.

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The infamously injury-prone Sturridge is again on the sidelines—familiar news for Liverpool fans, who are used to having the forward unavailable.

The 27-year-old showed his qualities when he was consistently in the team in the 2013-14 season, during which he scored 21 goals in 29 Premier League games and, along with Luis Suarez, almost fired Liverpool to their first title since 1990.

However, he has otherwise been unable to regularly stay healthy and often comes back in fits and starts before being injured again.

Despite being fit throughout the last campaign, Sturridge struggled for game time because of the form of Coutinho, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. That trio will continue to take on the Reds' goalscoring responsibilities in his absence alongside summer recruit Mohamed Salah.

When fit, Sturridge is Liverpool's most deadly out-and-out centre-forward.

However, with the England international proving so unreliable through injury and not a natural fit for Klopp's system, it may soon be time for the club to decide whether it's worth keeping him.