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Jurgen Klopp says he has “100%” trust in Daniel Sturridge – but has revealed why he simply could not risk the Liverpool striker against Tottenham last weekend.

Sturridge was not included in the Reds’ 18-man squad at White Hart Lane, having suffered a knock to his knee in training.

Having seen the striker miss the bulk of last season – and the start of this – with a combination of thigh, calf and hip problems, Liverpool fans had reacted with dismay to news of another potential setback.

Klopp, though, has moved to allay their fears, stating that Liverpool simply couldn’t afford to risk Sturridge at the end of a week in which they lost two players – Joe Gomez and Danny Ings – to long term injuries.

The 26-year-old, he says, could return to action for Thursday’s Europa League clash with Rubin Kazan at Anfield.

Klopp said: “I have known Daniel now for one week, and for six days he was perfect in training. Everything we did he was full of power, skills. He was outstanding.

“He did so many good things and then he got this contact with (Jordon) Ibe.

“In another situation I would have talked to him and said, ‘please try.’ But we can't in a week of two ACL injuries. Come on.

“It is OK for Daniel (to miss the Spurs game). We need Daniel for sure and if we played this game on Thursday then maybe he would play. No problem.

“I trust 100% this player. If Daniel is back then he can play no problem. If he is not then I don’t think about it because if the medics and physiotherapists tell me it is not possible, then it is not possible. I don’t have to discuss it, just think about another solution.”