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

Daniel Sturridge has been challenged to return to full fitness by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after an injury-plagued season that most recently saw him suffer a hip problem. His timeline to return after surgery on May 5 was four months.

Continue for updates.

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Rodgers Comments on Sturridge Surgery

Friday, May 15

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers discussed Sturridge's surgery, saying he thought the latest procedure would fix the striker's injury woes, according to the team's official website:

"

He's just had a horrible run of injuries this year and when you take that into consideration to what he gives us - because he got 20-plus goals last season - it's hard to replace that.

His operation went well. It's obviously going to be after pre-season when we get him back but hopefully we can get him back and firing like he was last year.

We hope we've got to the bottom of it. This is an injury that has been looked at and the medics have said it's maybe been the cause of a lot of his [injury] problems.

"

Sturridge posted a message and picture on Instagram after undergoing surgery on May 5:

Andy Hunter of The Guardian reported that " it will be four months before the 25-year-old can resume full training and with his pre-season effectively beginning in early September, it could be mid-to-late October before Sturridge is available for Rodgers’ team again."

John Cross of the Mirror reported that "Sturridge suffered a torn hip muscle" in the loss to Manchester United on March 22.

Despite his injury hurdles, Sturridge finished the season with impressive figures of 21 goals and seven assists in his 29 domestic league matches, per WhoScored.com, with Liverpool only just being pipped at the post by City in the final weeks of the season.     

The importance of Sturridge to Rodgers cannot be underestimated, with Liverpool signing the player to a new long-term deal in October. But his injury record is costing Rodgers dearly.