Liverpool injury news: Christian Benteke returns for Chelsea trip but Daniel Sturridge still unavailable

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke

Liverpool striker Christian Benteke will be available for the club’s trip to Chelsea on Saturday but fellow frontman Daniel Sturridge remains sidelined.

Benteke, a £32m summer signing from Aston Villa, left the Anfield pitch in discomfort last weekend after scoring in the club’s 1-1 draw with Southampton.

The powerful Belgian was not risked for Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup victory over Bournemouth but will be available for selection against Chelsea.

Who is out of contention for Liverpool’s trip to Chelsea?

Sturridge, who sustained a knee injury in a training session two weeks ago, is not in contention while Kolo Toure, who picked up a knock against Bournemouth, is also out.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said: “The injury situation is better than yesterday.

“Christian trained quite normally with one of our fitness coaches. He is prepared for tomorrow.

“That’s the only change. Kolo, it’s not serious but he’s not playing tomorrow. No Daniel, no.”

Klopp also praised the club’s medical department and absolved them of blame for the recent spate of injuries.

“This is one of the departments that works perfectly. They are working hard. Chris (Morgan, Liverpool’s head of physiotherapy) and his team.

“After two-and-a-half weeks, if you look at the kind of injuries we have had, it’s nothing to do with the medical department.

“We will just have to wait. Recovery and rehab needs time.

Benteke, meanwhile, spoke about his recent injury to the club’s in-house television channel LFCTV.

“I’m good,” he confirmed. “I just felt something during the game against Southampton last week. Now it’s behind me and I’m looking forward to the Chelsea game.

“It was a bit hard for me during the transfer window – I didn’t really have a normal pre-season.

“Now I’m trying to get back to my old level. Injuries are part of football but I’m trying to do everything I can to be fit for the rest of the season and to play every game.

“I try to stay as long as possible [at Melwood] to be really fully fit.