Daniel Sturridge: Liverpool striker demoralised, says Rodgers

Sturridge scored 25 goals as Liverpool finished second in the Premier League last season

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Daniel Sturridge is as "down as I've ever seen him" following news that the striker will be out until the new year with a fresh thigh injury.

The 25-year-old injured his thigh in training on Tuesday and scans show a different problem to the ones that have limited him to three games this season.

"He's a player who doesn't want to be out for this length of time. He wants to play football," said Rodgers.

"He's just been extremely unfortunate."

Sturridge, who scored 25 goals last season, suffered a thigh strain while with England in September before picking up a calf strain in training in October.

He had only returned to full training last week before picking up his latest injury.

"He's as down as I've ever seen him," added Rodgers.

"Now is the time for him to go away and see what more we can do to get him on the pitch consistently because he is a world class talent and he will only fulfil that if he is playing games. He wants that more than anyone.

"Daniel has had up to nine injuries on that same thigh over a period time, not just over the last six or seven months.

"I find him a brilliant young man who is a joy to work with in terms of his outlook of the game. He wants to do the best he can. There is no-one more frustrated than him at this point in time.

"He'll go away in the New Year and hopefully find the answers to help him perform at Liverpool."

Rodgers's side have scored just 14 league goals this season, with strikers Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini and Rickie Lambert failing to find the net.

Rodgers criticised England's handling of Sturridge after he was originally ruled out for up to three weeks.

Balotelli picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Italy and may be a doubt for Liverpool's next game against Crystal Palace on Sunday.