Daniel Sturridge is set to miss a crucial week for Liverpool, with the striker out injured for the fixtures against Newcastle, Real Madrid and Chelsea, manager Brendan Rodgers has said.
The Merseysiders face a tough run over the next eight days, and Sturridge -- who has been sidelined with a calf injury since early September -- is expected to miss more important matches.
Rodgers' side travel to in-form Newcastle at the weekend before a trip to the Bernabeu in midweek, with Chelsea visiting Anfield on Nov. 8.
Rodgers was blunt when asked if Sturridge, who hasn't played for the club since Aug. 31 after suffering a thigh strain while on international duty with England, had any chance of featuring.
"No -- I don't think he will be fit," he told reporters. Sturridge had suggested earlier this week that his injury problems could be "hereditary," having been sidelined on eight occasions since moving to Anfield in January 2013.
Asked whether Rodgers thought Sturridge's injury woes would continue, he said: "Don't know."
Liverpool have struggled without Sturridge's goals this season, the striker having scored 36 in just 52 appearances for the club.
They had hoped he would be available for Tuesday's crucial Champions League showdown against European champions Real Madrid in the Spanish capital.
However, Sturridge may now not return until the trip to Crystal Palace on Nov.23, according to the Daily Mirror, despite tweeting on Thursday that he was "feeling good right now, closer to full fitness each day."
Feeling good right now, closer to full fitness each day. ��
- Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) October 30, 2014
Culture clash looks absolutely unreal! �� bedtime for me now. Training in the morning. Another day ticked off before I'm fit. Can't wait!!
- Daniel Sturridge (@D_Sturridge) October 30, 2014
Rodgers said: "When you have that talent, you just have to keep yourself fit and available as you possibly can. But the bottom line is he is injured. He has strained his calf so he is injured.
"We will work with him, and hopefully we will get that bit of luck when he comes back. When he comes back, hopefully we will have him for the rest of the season."