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Jurgen Klopp has ruled out a swift return to the Liverpool line-up for Daniel Sturridge – but insisted his fragile striker’s latest problem will not require surgery.

The Reds boss has yet to see Sturridge on the pitch during his three games in charge, with the 26-year-old suffering from a knee problem following a training ground collision with close pal Jordon Ibe.

Klopp insists Sturridge’s problem is “not serious” but believes he will need time back on the training pitch before he can be considered for a return to the team sheet.

The German spoke shortly after leaving Sturridge in the gym at Melwood on Tuesday with the Reds’ head of physio, Chris Morgan.

Asked to clarify the exact nature of Sturridge’s injury, Klopp said: “As it often is in football, I don’t know exactly. I’m not really sure that I saw the one-on-one with Jordon Ibe when they came together in training. It’s something like a knock on the knee, and now there’s a little bit of fluid inside. He can go, he can walk, he can swim but that’s not enough for playing football.

“There’s fluid in the knee, not too much, that’s why we can say it’s not serious.

“We don’t have to think about surgeries or things like this, no, no, no, but he needs time. We play every three days.”

Despite the continued absence of the man upon whom so much of Liverpool’s goalscoring hopes are based, Klopp is keen to focus on those players who are available rather than those who aren’t.

He insisted he was well aware of Sturridge’s injury-hit past but still needed to learn more experience with the player.

Klopp added: “What I learned when I was younger, it doesn’t help if you talk about players who are not available.

“No he’s been out for three games. He trained but he’s been out for 10/12 days. And when he is back then he has to train, it’s not possible training and then the next day he can play. That’s not how football works.

“I know about his history with injuries of course but I have no experience with these things with him especially. That’s another thing I have to learn but for sure if he is back, he has to train, and if he can train then he can play – before this we don’t have to talk about this.”

Benteke out while Firmino was best player in Bundesliga for a few months

Klopp’s words suggest a return against Chelsea on Saturday appears most unlikely while a trip to deepest Russia for Rubin Kazan and zero degree temperatures for the Europa League next Thursday may also be considered an unnecessary risk. That would leave Crystal Palace at home as a possible return date or wait until after the international break which follows it.

One player who won't be returning to the starting line-up for Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup tie with Bournemouth at Anfield is Christian Benteke.

The Belgian striker played for just over half an hour against Rubin Kazan last week, followed by the second half against Southampton on Sunday when his superb header raised hopes of a first win for Klopp.

The Reds boss was keen to start Benteke if possible but the decision has been made not to risk the Belgian after he complained of discomfort in his knee.

Speaking before the news earlier today, Klopp said: “We have to wait, it’s just a short time after the (Southampton) game, we need to see how all the players feel and the medical side. But 30, then 45, now 60, 65, 70 would be perfect (for Benteke). That’s what we will try to do but I can’t say more than this until we know.”

One player who is in contention for a start is Brazilian Roberto Firmino, as he continues his return from a back injury suffered in the previous Capital One Cup game against Carlisle United.

His 25 minutes against Southampton was the first time he’d really impressed since Arsenal away and Klopp gave a ringing endorsement of the £29m former Hoffenheim man’s talents.

The Liverpool manager knows his player well from Germany and he believes he was for a period the best player in the Bundesliga last year.

“Last time with Brazil he played as a nine, usually he plays in offensive midfield or second striker or he can come from the wing, he can play in the centre. He’s a pretty skilled player.

“There was some time, I would say one year ago, when he was for a few months for sure the best player in the Bundesliga.

“From the first day on everybody could see that he can be a very, very good player.

“When I heard Liverpool took him, I thought ‘good choice’.

“Of course he’s been injured, of course he needs time when he comes in but when he’s in, he’s strong with the ball, he’s physically strong usually, he’s fast in a good football way with the ball, getting his body between the opponent and the ball. He’s an important player for us of course and I hope he can play tomorrow.”

James Milner is suspended for the game, after picking up a booking in the free-kick which led to Southampton’s goal on Sunday.

But Klopp insists he will not think about who will wear the captain's armband until he knows who will be on the pitch.

“I am pretty sure we will find someone with arms!” he joked. “When I know who will play tomorrow, then next thing immediately I will think about is the captain of the team.”