Jurgen Klopp says Daniel Sturridge must learn the difference between 'serious pain and only pain'

Daniel Sturridge is yet to play for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Daniel Sturridge must learn to distinguish between real pain and just pain if the injury-stricken player has to overcome his woes. The Reds manager said Sturridge needs to learn “what is serious pain or what is only pain” according to Sky Sports.

Sturridge’s long-awaited first appearance under Klopp on Thursday was not to be, as the striker reported a discomfort in his foot a few hours before the Europa League match against Bordeaux. The Liverpool forward has yet to feature for the Reds since the new manager’s appointment and appears unlikely to feature in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Swansea City at Anfield.

The 26-year-old underwent hip surgery back in May and managed 252 minutes on the field in three appearances on his return before hurting his knee in the training ground last month. He has been out of action for the past nine matches and Klopp has now sent a warning to his striker saying he needs to adapt in order to establish his career.

“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,” said Klopp

“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. If it wasn’t someone with the quality of Daniel no-one would think about it.

“Everyone wants him back on the pitch, but we all have to learn. Now we can say [the 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.

"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. It is a really long period so now we have to stay patient I am sorry to say: sorry for you, sorry for me, sorry for him.

“I really don’t know if Daniel has a chance [for Sunday],” said Klopp who was skeptical on Sturridge’s chances to be fit for Sunday's match with Swansea at Anfield.