Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp wrapping Daniel Sturridge in cotton wool to avoid another injury ridden season
The German is determined to ease his star striker back gently after his Euro 2016 exertions and get the best out of him
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JURGEN KLOPP is taking the softly, softly approach with Daniel Sturridge in a bid to get a full campaign from his crack striker.
The Kop boss has brought in seven new faces this summer but Sturridge, 26, remains the prize asset at Anfield.
A variety of injuries have sidelined the England man for lengthy spells in each of his three seasons on Merseyside.
Last term Klopp hinted at his frustration by claiming Sturridge had to determine what was “real pain” as he fought back from yet another injury.
The German is determined to ease him back gently after Sturridge’s Euro exertions.
So when the Reds played the first game of their US pre-season Tour against Chelsea in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in the early hours of this morning, Sturridge was set to remain in the Reds’ Palo Alto training camp.
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The club were quick to stress there was no fresh injury drama, merely a case of Sturridge going through extra fitness sessions and say he will feature in the second game against Milan at the weekend.
Nathaniel Clyne also missed out because of a tight hamstring.
Belgian duo Divock Origi and Christian Benteke stayed in Palo Alto as they stepped up training after their Euro duty in France.
Centre-back Mamadou Sakho was sent back to England on Monday.
Publicly, Liverpool insist it was to continue his recovery from Achilles trouble, yet there are rumblings that Klopp has been unhappy with the Frenchman’s attitude.
The two will have crunch talks next week.