Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Daniel Sturridge is making stop-start progress as he bids to return from injury.
The 26-year-old has featured just six times for the Reds in all competitions this season and has been absent since their 2-0 loss at Newcastle United on December 6 with hamstring problems.
"He is still working. Sometimes it is better, sometimes it is a bit worse because of other issues. That is all," Klopp told reporters ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup clash with West Ham United on Saturday. "He has done a lot of sessions in the last few weeks but it is always interrupted with a few breaks. He needs consistency in the sessions and that's what we try to do.
"His injury history means this [slow progress] is normal. It is not coincidence. Some things are not right if you are injured that often. We have to be really sensitive with all the information we get. That is what we try to do. We're trying to find a point from which we can train and build up fitness.
"He could do a lot of sessions in the last few weeks, but they have always been interrupted with different issues where we always have to see and wait on what happens. There is no doubt that he is a very, very good player, but at this moment he is not available. We have to work, together with Daniel, on his fitness."
Sturridge could be back in contention for Liverpool's trip to Premier League basement side Aston Villa on February 14.
Neil Wilkes
