Jurgen Klopp on Daniel Sturridge’s latest injury and the title race

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Klopp acknowledged the French side posed a real threat, particularly in the final stages of the contest, but was pleased to see the Reds safely navigate their way into the next phase.

Jurgen Klopp is “sorry” for Daniel Sturridge’s latest injury setback but claims it is not a serious problem. Sturridge could well be facing a long spell out of the team if he doesn’t get back to full fitness.

“I can tell you that I am not sure that Robert Lewandowski could have developed in the Robert Lewandowski of today in England because no one is patient enough to wait for this”, Klopp told the Liverpool Echo. “Henderson is always [knocking] on the door, wanting to play”.

“The training for him was intensive, as it should be”, said Klopp. Everything we do is 120 percent.

However, he revealed captain Jordan Henderson, who has not played since the second match of the season after heel problems and then a broken bone in his foot, will not be considered until fully fit. “When in that shape we can use him”, he continued.

With Danny Ings recovering from cruciate knee ligament surgery, that means Roberto Firmino is likely to be pushed forward into the main striker’s role against Swansea, while Divock Origi is another option. The German is known for the pressing gameplay of his teams and while Sturridge would have been a starter in most games for Klopp, his injury record certainly doesn’t send out encouraging signs. That’s a good situation.

“I’m an ex-player and I came out of his office feeling really good and really confident. We have to think about Swansea from tomorrow on and that’s what we’ll do”.

“And I think a lot of what he’s saying in these parts is just hitting the right notes with the Liverpool fans”.

“It’s completely normal after a long injury”.

The Reds now sit ninth in the Premier League on 20 points, just six outside the top four, as of Saturday evening.