Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge ruled out for a month

The 25-year-old picked up the injury during Liverpool's 2-1 loss to Manchester United on Sunday.

Sturridge had been earlier ruled out of England’s upcoming games against Lithuania and Italy through the injury but the news will come as a huge blow to Liverpool’s hopes of making the top four.

The reported setback means that he could miss four weeks, which will include their FA Cup quarter-final replay against Blackburn and the crunch Premier League clash with Arsenal.

Sturridge's injury adds to an increasing list of key personnel on the sidelines, with Steven Gerrard and Martin Skrtel suspended for three games each, and Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana also injured.

Liverpool are yet to formally confirm the extent of the injury but Roy Hodgson has spoken of his disappointment.

“I’m a little bit disappointed for Daniel Sturridge, because when he came to us he didn’t really feel that the slight problem he felt was really any problem at all,” said the England boss.

“When we did the scan and it turned out that there was a problem he was absolutely devastated, because he didn’t want to leave us. There was no option because he has a slight tear and you can’t play through that.”

While the loss to United was a hammer blow to Liverpool’s top-four aspirations, the loss of Sturridge could prove fatal. It is of little coincidence that Liverpool’s spike in performance post-Christmas has coincided with his return. He may not be scoring as freely as previously but his mere presence in the side opened up space for others, which the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling have ruthlessly exploited. Brendan Rodgers will have to shuffle his pack once more and do it quickly.