Daniel Sturridge could miss the rest of Liverpool's season through injury

Daniel Sturridge has been ‘unlucky’ according to Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Daniel Sturridge could miss the last month of this EPL season with a torn hip muscle. The Liverpool striker has missed much of the season through injury – making only 14 appearances for the Reds this season.

The Merseyside team have sorely missed his presence on the pitch having let go of Luiz Suarez in the summer. Neither of their replacements – Mario Balotelli or Rickie Lambert – have made the impact they had hoped.

Rodgers said Liverpool will be monitoring Daniel Sturridge’s situation but he has been “unfortunate” this season.

The Red’ manager said, “It's been difficult. Daniel is a good lad who wants to play and work and help the team but it's been one of those seasons for him.

“When he's been fit, he's been brilliant -- but it's just a case of getting him back on a consistent basis. Whether that's this season, or in preseason, has to be seen.”

While Sturridge’s partnership with Suarez and Sterling last season produced scintillating performances last season ending in 21 goals for the Englishman, he has only been able to grab 5 in the measly 14 appearance’s he has been limited to this time around.

As Rodgers earlier noted, Liverpool have faced a distinct lack of goals this season and need to improve on that in the summer.

He reiterated that once again in saying, “We've been strong defensively – despite what people write and say. We had a 14th clean sheet of the season at West Brom on Saturday, and we're in the top five sides defensively in the league.

“But obviously the critical area, as it was when I first came, is goal scoring – and that is something we need to improve upon.”

The Reds have been linked with several strikers including the impressive Dutchman Memphis Depay and Burnley’s Danny Ings.

Closer to home, Jordan Henderson has signed a new contract keeping him at the club till 2020. More contract negotiations are ongoing including those of youngster Jordon Ibe and defender Martin Skrtel.

Rodgers was full of praise for Ibe, saying, “He's direct and wants to create goals and score goals. He still has a long way to go but he's made some exciting steps.

“Jordon's a very good footballer, he loves football and watches a lot. He also has this natural talent. He's not the type of boy you want to over coach.

“He has a beautiful balance, can go either way, is very fast and his technique is very clean. He could play as a midfield player. But he loves to be wide, he loves to be in the duel.”

Amid all this, Raheem Sterling’s contract negotiations also hang above ominously as contract talks with him are likely to resume at the end of the season.