Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has revealed that Daniel Sturridge is as "down" as he has ever been after suffering another injury blow.
The England international is expected to be on the sidelines until at least the New Year after picking up a thigh problem in training this week.
The 25-year-old, who has not played since August due to calf and thigh problems, is at a low point mentally, according to his manager.
"Daniel Sturridge has just been extremely unfortunate," Rodgers told reporters in today's press conference. "He's a player who doesn't want to be out for this length of time. He wants to play football.
"Now is the time for him to go away and see what more we can do to get him on the pitch consistently because he is a world-class talent.
"He wants that more than anyone. I spoke to him today at length and he's as down as I've ever seen him. He'll go away in the New Year and hopefully find the answers to help him perform at Liverpool."
Rodgers claimed that Rickie Lambert, who has had limited game time following his summer move from Southampton, will "feature heavily" in the coming weeks.
Danielle Joynson
