Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has revealed that teammate Daniel Sturridge feels 'hurt' by the criticism that he has faced during his injury battles this season.
The England international made his first Premier League start since October in last Sunday's 6-0 drubbing of Aston Villa.
Sturridge marked his comeback with a 16th-minute goal, but this season has been a frustrating one for the striker as he has suffered numerous injury setbacks following hip surgery last summer.
There have been suggestions that the 26-year-old refuses to play until he feels 100% fit, but Henderson has insisted that his teammate is always eager to return to the pitch.
"I've known Studge for years and I am quite close to him," the Liverpool Echo quotes Henderson as saying. "I have been with him a lot while he has been out. You have to understand he has been more frustrated than anyone.
"A lot gets said about him outside of our group. I know it hurts him and I know it is hard for him to take. He is doing things to try and get back.
"He doesn't want to be injured. He is more annoyed than anyone that he isn't playing. But now he is back, he has got a smile on his face and he has been world class."
Since the summer of 2014, Sturridge has started just 17 out of 99 games for Liverpool.
Danielle Joynson
