March 27, 2015 09:13:32 UK
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge faces around a month out of action after a slight hip muscle tear was confirmed by England head coach Roy Hodgson.
The 25-year-old frontman, who has missed a large part of the current campaign due to injury, suffered a fresh problem in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield last weekend.
He has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.
Roy Hodgson
And the issue with his hip forced Sturridge to miss England’s double-header against Lithuania and Italy, with Hodgson telling reporters that the forward is facing several weeks out of action.
He commented: “I’m disappointed for Daniel because he didn’t really feel that it was any problem.
“When he did the scan he was devastated as he didn’t want to leave. He has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.”
The loss of Strurridge will come as a major blow to the Reds, who are chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League and who are still involved in the FA Cup.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are currently five points adrift of the top four following their loss to United, while they face an FA Cup sixth round replay against Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers.
The Reds can be backed at 4.33 to finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League, with United 1.25 and Southampton 12.00.
Liverpool failed to make it past the group stage of the Champions League this season, before being knocked out of the Europa League on penalties by Besiktas.
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