Klopp has 'no idea' if Sturridge will be fit to face Arsenal

Daniel Sturridge is facing a race for fitness ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener Sunday at Arsenal.

English football's version of Groundhog Day has come early for Liverpool, after the 26-year-old England international missed out on the club's final two preseason tune-ups against Barcelona and Mainz.

Perpetually bothered by injuries that have stalled the goal-machine's promising career, Sturridge is again plagued by a hip concern that should worry Liverpool supporters.

A hip injury saw Sturridge miss all but 12 league matches in 2014-15, forcing the Manchester City academy product to seek treatment in the United States.

Asked for a one-word answer concerning Sturridge's status after the 4-0 defeat to Mainz, Klopp offered, "No idea. That's a two-word answer!"

If Klopp and Co. can afford injuries in any specific position, it's in attacking spots, where the acquisition of Sadio Mane has added depth to the likes of Sturridge, Roberto Firmino, Christian Benteke, and Danny Ings. Even Mario Balotelli is still on the books at Anfield.

Liverpool travels to the Emirates next weekend before paying Burnley and Tottenham visits in consecutive weeks as the Reds start the season with an unconventional treble of fixtures away from home.

Always the realist, Klopp understands that the season will not be dictated by Sunday's opener in north London.

"We will be ready for the first game next week, for sure. But if Arsenal was the best game of the season for us, there would be something wrong with the season.

"We still have to go on. This is only the first game. We cannot decide the whole season in one game."