Liverpool team news: Martin Skrtel out with illness, Daniel Sturridge ready to return
The Slovakian defender scored in his side's impressive 4-1 rout at Manchester City
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Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may be without Martin Skrtel for his side’s Europa League clash with Bordeaux but Daniel Sturridge is in contention to start.
Skrtel, who scored in the Reds’ brilliant 4-1 away win at Manchester City last weekend, is “a little bit ill” after a bout of flu and is likely to be rested for Thursday night’s encounter.
With fan favourite Mamadou Sakho also sidelined, Klopp will be without his first-choice centre-back pairing and may be forced to call on the services of Kolo Toure.
“Martin Skrtel is a little bit ill,” Klopp confirmed during a pre-match press conference at Melwood.
“Mama is in a good way, but obviously he is not ready for tomorrow, so we might need to have a new idea [in defence] and we will see how we handle this.”
Sturridge, who was named on the bench for Saturday’s win despite recovering from a knee injury, has now enjoyed an extended period of full training and could start for the first time since Klopp’s arrival.
The England international will contend for the striking berth with Roberto Firmino, who was instrumental in the win at the Etihad Stadium, and Christian Benteke, who is also back to full fitness.
“The best news at the moment is Daniel is coming closer, closer and closer,” Klopp said.
“He has trained now seven or eight times in a row – the longest period since I’ve been here – and, of course, that will help him and it will help us. We have another option.
“Benteke is in very good shape, which is very important for us. When I came here he was injured. Now he has had many, many sessions with the team and the Belgian national team. We are in a good position at the moment.”
Philippe Coutinho is expected to sit out the game after picking up a minor hamstring strain but the in-form Brazilian playmaker could return for Swansea City’s visit on Sunday.
Liverpool will qualify from Group B with a victory over Bordeaux.
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