Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told Daniel Sturridge he must learn to play through the pain barrier to conquer his injury problems.
Sturridge pulled out of the squad for the 2-1 Uefa Europa League win over Bordeaux on Thursday after reporting discomfort in his foot.
He has missed almost as many matches as he has featured in since joining the club in January 2013. Hip surgery in May has restricted him to 252 minutes over three appearances this season.
Sturrudge, 26, featured in 18 matches in the previous campaign because of thigh, calf and hip problems.
Klopp has yet to play him since taking over as manager in mid-October.
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The German has made allowances for the amount of time Sturridge has been sidelined, but said the England international cannot be given an extended period to recover because they are deep into the season.
“The situation is Daniel was very often injured in the last few months, and maybe years, so it is normal when you get back in training, usually it is not the quality, but you need training,” Klopp said ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Swansea.
“Your body has to learn to adapt to new intensities of training and in this time you have to learn what is serious pain and what is only pain.
“Everyone wants him back on the pitch but we all have to learn.”
Klopp said Sturridge’s latest injury “is not that serious but it is not possible to go on as before so we have to react to every situation, which is normal for injuries”.
The manager added: “When Daniel comes back usually after this long break you would train five weeks in a row and play only in friendly games.
“That would be the best, but of course we know the world is not perfect so we have to try the best and the quickest.”
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