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Jurgen Klopp knew what was coming. There was only one place for his press conference at Melwood to start.

It’s become a depressingly familiar theme - the Liverpool manager asked to provide the latest bulletin on the well-being of a gifted but desperately fragile striker.

An issue which dogged the last 18 months of Brendan Rodgers’ reign has now become Klopp’s problem and here was the first sign of the German’s patience being stretched by the continued absence of Daniel Sturridge.

Klopp spoke about Sturridge needing to “learn what is serious pain or what is only pain” after he pulled out of his planned comeback against Bordeaux on Thursday night.

The 26-year-old frontman had trained normally in the morning and travelled to the team hotel before complaining of discomfort in his foot. As a result he was removed from the squad and sent for a scan.

Klopp was giving little away about those results at Melwood on Friday but his admission that Sturridge’s latest issue is “not that serious” was telling.

That was also the assessment of the Reds’ medical staff when Sturridge suffered bruising to his knee after a training ground collision with Jordon Ibe on the eve of Klopp’s first game in charge at Tottenham last month.

Klopp talked about his absence in the capital being purely precautionary but he has since learned that there is no such thing as a minor knock where the England international is concerned.

It’s now eight weeks since Sturridge last pulled on a Liverpool shirt. He has featured in just three of the Reds’ last 28 matches in all competitions.

All that talk back in the summer about the hip surgery he underwent in New York and the subsequent rehabilitation programme with staff at the Boston Red Sox curing his array of ailments proved misplaced.

Liverpool’s American owners went to great trouble and expense to ensure Sturridge had the best of everything during his spell Stateside. They left no stone unturned in their bid to help him recapture the heights he hit in 2013/14 when his 24-goal haul fired the Reds agonisingly close to the Premier League crown.

IN PICS: Liverpool train ahead of Swansea

A more robust Sturridge was supposed to ride to the rescue on his return in September but the hope generated by his classy double against Aston Villa didn’t last.

It’s been Klopp rather than Sturridge who has transformed the Reds’ season. It’s been achieved with Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho providing the firepower.

Whether it’s a case of his body letting him down or simply being a bona fide hypochondriac, Sturridge is in serious danger of being left behind.

His quality isn’t in doubt but his mentality most certainly is. Some will argue that his availability should just be regarded a bonus but that belies the fact he’s the club’s highest earner on around £150,000 per week.

You don’t pay someone that kind of cash for the occasional guest appearance. When Sturridge penned that lucrative deal 13 months ago he spoke about one day joining Anfield’s pantheon of legends.

He name-checked Kop icons Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler. That cherished trio weren’t just blessed with remarkable talent but also repeatedly put their bodies on the line for the cause.

If Sturridge is serious about joining that kind of company he needs to start doing likewise for Klopp.

Foundation Day to take place before West Brom

The inaugural Liverpool FC Foundation Day will take place on Sunday, December 13 at the club’s home clash with West Brom.

There will be a number of activities taking place to raise funds for the Reds’ official charity. All money raised will support the Foundation’s community programmes including its men’s health programme, and educational and football development programmes like Respect 4 All which provides sporting activity for those with severe physical and neurological impairments.

There will be free skills and drills challenges and coaching sessions at Anfield Sports and Community Centre, as well as a blind penalty shootout against a Liverpool FC legend in the Family Park on Anfield Road.

To celebrate the launch, there are 13 prizes being auctioned off online. Among them is a round of golf with James Milner and dinner with Lucas Leiva, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino. To bid go to: www.charitystars.com