Tuesday 4 November 2014 06:22, UK
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says striker Daniel Sturridge is highly unlikely to feature against Real Madrid despite travelling to Spain with the squad.
The England international has not played for the Reds since August 31 after damaging his calf in training while working his way back from a thigh injury.
Rodgers confirmed Sturridge is doubtful to feature in the Champions League clash on Tuesday night but said he wanted to bring him along anyway to what is a massive game for the club.
“I brought every player out with us, knowing this game is very important to us,” Rodgers said. “It is a sign that we are very much together, that all the players have travelled, whether injured or fit.
“We will work out here over the next couple of days. With Daniel, we will see how he responds, but it is highly unlikely he will be fit."
Following the departure of Luis Suarez, Liverpool are struggling to score goals without Sturridge out and Rodgers admitted he is still struggling to get new signings like Adam Lallana and Mario Balotelli to adapt to the team’s style of play.
“I am very much learning about the players who have come in,” he added. “It is clear we have not reached the speed in our game, the intensity of our game, over the course of the season, other than maybe one or two moments. That is something I am trying to find as the coach.
“Last year we had the players and I could work the tactics around that, but obviously this season it has been different with more games and less training time.”
Liverpool sit third in Group B heading into the tie after losing to Madrid and Basel in two of their three European games so far.
Rodgers knows the pressure is on his side as another defeat will make qualification difficult but he is optimistic Liverpool can get a positive result.
“Our focus coming into this game against a very good team is to put in a performance which can get us a result," he said.
“We look forward to these big games and see them as an opportunity, as opposed to any threat to what we are doing.
“We are still very much in the hunt to qualify from the group and we will go into the game tomorrow respecting the opponent, but knowing we have got some outstanding players.
“If we can find the intensity and speed we have shown over the last 18 months, we can challenge any team."
