Daniel Sturridge Injury Further Questions Liverpool's Summer Spending

Daniel Sturridge's latest injury setback is another huge blow to Liverpool's already disappointing season.

Sturridge "suffered another thigh injury at Melwood and could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines as a consequence," according to the Guardian's Andy Hunter, and the new problem was also confirmed by the club later on Wednesday.

Having already missed 14 games in all competitions, Brendan Rodgers' hopes of getting his side's season back on track have taken another huge blow.

Incredibly, Liverpool have played eight Premier League games without Sturridge—picking up just eight points in those games, scoring only eight goals in the process. To say Liverpool miss the 25-year-old up front is a huge understatement.

With Premier League games against Crystal Palace, Stoke City, Leicester City and Sunderland up next, plus the crucial two final Champions League games against Ludogorets Razgrad and FC Basel, Sturridge's return would have seen some optimism that Liverpool could turn their season around.

This latest setback has certainly reduced the likelihood of such an upturn in performances and results materialising.

Indeed, most Liverpool fans will be fearing more games featuring Mario Balotelli cutting an isolated figure up front as Rodgers persists with the 4-2-3-1 formation. Liverpool's problems wouldn't have been solved by Sturridge's injury, but they would have been sizeably improved.

Summer Spending

What Sturridge's latest injury, and his injury record in general, does highlight even more is the club's summer spending strategy.

Incredibly, this is the 13th injury the former Chelsea forward has suffered since moving to Merseyside less than two years ago, as per PhysioRoom.com.

Liverpool have placed far too much reliance upon such an injury-prone player—and it is proving to be their undoing.

Sturridge has a history of injury problems, dating back through his career with Chelsea, Bolton and Manchester City—this isn't like he has suffered an unlucky leg break to keep him out long-term, he's suffered really what his injury history would predict.

To lose a player of Luis Suarez's calibre, then place so much reliance upon Sturridge, was an extremely risky strategy.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Having spent over £100 million, Rodgers failed to bring in a proven goalscorer to share the burden with Sturridge and reduce his side's reliance upon him.

Whether it's Rodgers' decision to go with such a risky strategy, or the club's via the transfer committee, nobody really knows, but it's becoming clear that such a huge mistake in the transfer market could cost somebody their job.

The last time Liverpool went on such a spending spree, under the guidance of then-manager Kenny Dalglish and former director of football Damien Comolli, both were sacked within months and a process of removing the purchases made was hastened.

Transfer Policy

As previously explained, Liverpool's transfer policy was under the microscope after their disappointing start to the season and failure for any of the eight new signings to impress sufficiently.

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Effectively, Liverpool have the team from last season, minus Suarez. And many of their star performers last season have struggled to find form.

A lack of proven quality has been a huge hindrance, especially with the demands of Champions League football restricting Rodgers' time working with new signings on the training pitch.

The opportunity to build on Champions League qualification already looks to have slipped away, and instead Liverpool will be back to square one—and then some, given the increased revenue the competition will provide clubs in it next season.

People may point to Suarez's departure, but Liverpool were either naive to think he would stay at the club, or naive to think they had the Alexis Sanchez deal tied up if he did go. Instead, they went after Loic Remy, then somehow ended up with Balotelli. That doesn't appear to be a well-planned transfer strategy.

Liverpool gambled on Balotelli, and they gambled on Sturridge's fitness. Neither has paid off. It will probably cost somebody their job—whether that's Rodgers or somebody on the transfer committee, only time will tell.