'No idea' when Sturridge will return from injury, says Klopp

Though Daniel Sturridge is back on the pitch, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted Friday he has "no idea" when to expect the 27-year-old striker in full uniform.

Sturridge hasn't featured in nearly three weeks after suffering a calf injury.

"He will go out today on the pitch but that means starting the football work, not with the team but only the rehab coach," Klopp told reporters Friday. "I have no idea when he (will be) back."

The Liverpool Echo's Andy Kelly estimates Sturridge could still return in time for the Dec. 19 derby at Everton, but it's unlikely the England international will take part in upcoming fixtures against Bournemouth and Middlesbrough.

Sturridge has made just five Premier League starts for Liverpool this season, and there's no guarantee he will get any more once he's back to full health. Klopp's favoured Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Philippe Coutinho when available, leaving Sturridge to make his most significant impact in the League Cup. A two-goal performance against Tottenham is his biggest contribution of the campaign thus far.

Klopp criticised Sturridge in the past for failing to deal with the pain threshold, and he's now resigned to waiting on the striker's fitness.

"That's the life of football, you cannot force things, never," the German said. "The name of the player or the quality of the player isn't important; you have to wait as a manager until they're back.

"Sometimes you have to wait a little bit longer because you decide - as we have done in the past - that a few days training would be nice before we start again."