Brendan Rodgers’ side have been handed an early boost ahead of their Premier League clash against Queens Park Rangers, following the news of injured striker, Daniel Sturridge.
Daniel Sturridge has returned to full training with the Club’s first team this week and is expected to feature against QPR on Sunday. The 25 year old striker has been out of action for the Merseyside Red with a thigh strain. His last game for the Reds’ was a 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Daniel Sturridge and club team mates, Joe Allen and Can Emre, picked up injuries while representing the Three Lions in an international duty and have been side-lined since last month.
Liverpool has suffered impediments as a result of injuries these past few weeks and it has affected their performances both in the Premier League and in Europe. The absence of Daniel Sturridge left Liverpool with just three wins in all competitions; a Champions League win against Ludogorets, a penalty shoot-out triumph against Middlesbrough in the England Capital One Cup and against West Brom in the Premier League.
Brendan Rodgers had earlier criticized Roy Hodgson, England’s manager publicly for the injury of Daniel Sturridge, Emre Can and Joe Allen. According to Rodgers, the Three Lions’ coach’s intense training blighted the players’ fitness – to which Roy Hodgson denied.
25-year-old Daniel Sturridge’s injury created tension between his two managers, Brendan Rodgers and Roy Hodgson. It was reported that Sturidge was told to train on recovery day and then sustained an injury, something which angered the Liverpool boss.
Former Liverpool’s striker, Neil Mellor wrote about the return of the triad [Sturridge, Emre and Joe Allen] before Sunday’s clash with QPR.
Neil Mellor who described Sturridge as the ‘present best English striker in the Premier League’ believes that the return of the striker is a huge boost to Brendan Rodgers’ side.
“We should have Joe Allen, Emre Can and Daniel Sturridge all back for the trip to QPR next weekend.
“That’s great if so. It will add depth to the squad, strength to the bench and mean more competition for places.”
While this is true, it is also good news for Brendan Rodgers’ side ahead of their Champions League match mouth-watery clash against defending Champions’ League winners, Real Madrid. “With due respect to Emre and Allen, the biggest boost is easily the return Sturridge. For me he is simply the best English striker in the Premier League. His goals to game stats alone prove it.
“Seeing him out there just ahead of Real Madrid’s visit to Anfield will give us all a, huge lift.” Mellor claimed.
Emre Can’s return from injury was greeted with a kung-fu-play fight at the Melwood training ground, between himself and controversial summer signing, Mario Balotelli. Emre has been out for six weeks after sustaining an ankle injury while on international duty. Raheem Sterling was also seen training with the first team at the Melwood training ground.
Indeed, the return of the triad, particularly Sturridge is a huge boost to the Reds as they prepare to play 7 games in just 21 days. Two of those games include one against Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Liverpool still has the likes of Markovic and Dejan Lovren out of action after sustaining injuries on international duties.