Monthly Archives: November 2013

Liverpool confirm Sturridge suffers ankle injury

The 24-year-old limped out of training on Friday and will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Hull City as he undergoes further assessment from the club’s medical staff

Liverpool have confirmed that striker Daniel Sturridge will miss Sunday’s clash with Hull City after suffering an ankle injury in training.

Sturridge limped out of training on Friday will undergo assessment from the club’s medical staff to determine the extent of the problem, with some reports suggesting he has suffered ankle ligament damage.

The news is a blow to boss Brendan Rodgers, who had planned to start the 24-year-old alongside Luis Suarez against the Tigers after revealing he had trained “exceptionally well” this week.

“Liverpool Football Club can confirm Daniel Sturridge will be assessed by the club’s medical staff today after the striker rolled his ankle in training,” a statement on the club’s website reads.

“Sturridge returned to training at Melwood this week; however, he sustained an ankle sprain which will require further assessment.”

Gerrard: I was gutted by Sir Alex Ferguson’s comments

The Reds skipper says he was saddened by the former Manchester United’s manager remarks about his ability as a footballer

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard says he was “gutted” to hear that former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson did not regard him as a world-class footballer.

The England international has revealed Ferguson twice tried to bring him to Old Trafford, but in the Scot’s recent autobiography he had commented that Gerrard was “not a top, top player”.

“I went on trial at Manchester United when I was 13 and had a letter off them wanting to sign me on a seven-year-deal,” he told ‘The Clare Balding Show’ on BT Sport 1.

“I’m a huge fan of Alex Ferguson and what he’s done in the game is fantastic, that’s the reason why he’s sold that many copies in the first week, I was generally a little bit gutted when I read that, the reaction of the papers, when he said I wasn’t a top, top player. But I won’t lose sleep over it, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

“He tried to sign me in early 2002-2003, he tried to sign me again to play for United, I obviously refused, so I can’t really take it to heart too much. But I’m a bit gutted because I’m a big fan of his.”

The Liverpool captain famously came close to a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2005, but says he is glad he decided to reject west London in favour of an Anfield stay.

“They [Chelsea] tried on two occasions in 2005 and 2006,” he added.

“I am Liverpool man through and through but I have to admit it did turn my head, because big things were happening at Chelsea.

“They were spending huge amounts of money and at Liverpool at the time we were struggling and my relationship with Benitez was a bit up and down.

“I have openly admitted that it did turn my head, but now I can honestly admit from the bottom of my heart the best decision I have made was to stay at the club that I love.”

Hull City – Liverpool Preview: Reds sweating over Sturridge fitness

Liverpool are sweating on the fitness of in-form striker Daniel Sturridge as they prepare to take on Hull City at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Sturridge limped out of training on Friday with reports suggesting he has sustained ankle ligament damage and could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Any such news would be a big blow to Brendan Rodgers, who had planned to include the England international in his starting XI after admitting he had trained “exceptionally well” this week.

Liverpool sit second in the Premier League after losing just two of their 12 games, although they have failed to win any of their last three away top-flight fixtures.

Rodgers’ team have averaged two goals per game this term, though, with strikers Luis Suarez and Sturridge responsible for 18 of their 24 strikes.

The duo have each scored as many Premier League goals as the whole Hull squad (nine), and both were on target in Liverpool’s thrilling 3-3 draw at Everton last Saturday.

Suarez scored a stunning free-kick in the first half at Goodison Park, while Sturridge came off the bench to grab an 89th-minute equaliser despite struggling with a thigh injury.

Iago Aspas (thigh), Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates (both knee) also all remain long-term absentees for Liverpool as Rodgers prepares for the trip to Yorkshire

Hull City, meanwhile, are looking for their first every victory over Liverpool, having failed to triumph in any of the 16 previous meetings between the two sides in all competitions.

Hull did manage to hold Liverpool to a 0-0 stalemate in their most recent clash on the final day of the 2009-10 campaign, but that came after they had suffered a 6-1 reverse at Anfield – their record Premier League defeat.

The Tigers go into the game on a run of four defeats from their last five Premier League outings, including the 1-0 reverse to Crystal Palace last week – their first home loss of the season.

Paul McShane (hamstring) is sidelined for the hosts, although manager Steve Bruce expects Curtis Davies to be fit after picking up a knock against Palace.

Robbie Brady is available, while Bruce could also recall James Chester to the squad after the defender spent more than two months out with a hamstring problem.