Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Daniel Sturridge has suffered "some problems" in his recovery from a hamstring complaint.
There had been suggestions that the 26-year-old, who has suffered numerous fitness issues since the end of the 2013-14 campaign, would be fit for last weekend's trip to West Ham United.
However, the striker missed the 2-0 defeat at Upton Park and when asked the reason behind his omission, Klopp told reporters: "Daniel had some problems, not serious, but he could not make a session and we had to wait a day. Because he didn't have one session with the team it was not the usual plan for this week.
"It would be easy for me to say 'come on, let's try, we have problems, we don't score enough goals, let's see what will happen'. But we have to wait and be patient."
Sturridge has featured on just six occasions in all competitions this season.