Sturridge confirms return for Crystal Palace

As we enter into the international break, many Premier League footballers will be using the time off to take a well-deserved rest. This is a feeling that's been echoed across teams, but none more so than at Liverpool, whose Daniel Sturridge is currently out of action with an injury.

The 25-year-old took to Instagram on 10th November to tell fans that he is feeling fit and healthy after being sidelined in September with a thigh injury, before incurring a later calf problem. Posing with the Liverpool first-team physiotherapist Matt Konopinski, Sturridge shared an image with the caption: “Chilling with Matt..Feeling good. No smiley smiley... Straight face vibes with tired eyes.”

Liverpool have certainly missed Sturridge in their most recent Premier League matches. With Chelsea's unstoppable record this season, it was to be expected that they would be beaten on 8th November, and indeed fans at Anfield were disappointed with the 2-1 result.

Further back however, Liverpool did not manage to score against 15th-place Hull on 25th October, and also suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat in Newcastle on 1st November. Just as Chelsea have their secret weapon in Diego Costa, it seems that Sturridge is a vital ingredient to The Reds.

Sturridge took one of the first goals for Liverpool against Southampton on 17th August and has yet to prove his potential ever since, having succumbed to the injury some weeks later. Last season however, the star scored 32 goals for Liverpool, and Reds fans will be overjoyed the hear of his return in time for their pairing with Crystal Palace on 23rd November.

“It's the worst feeling to be honest but that's football,” said Sturridge of his recent injury. Now, with peak fitness, Sturridge will be ready to bring Liverpool back up through the rankings after the team have recently fallen to 11th place in the Premier League table.

While Liverpool boast a formidable team, they are still lamenting the loss of Luis Suárez, who signed for Barcelona at the beginning of the season. Mario Balotelli, meanwhile, has yet to score in this year's tournament.

But a return against Crystal Palace should be an easy task for Sturridge, and bookmakers at Betsafe have got their eyes on Liverpool to take the much-needed three points at Selhurst Park. At 17th place in the Premier League, Palace face certain relegation in the months to come, and with the return of Sturridge later this month, are unlikely to walk away victorious any time soon.