Jürgen Klopp explained why Daniel Sturridge was not risked at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday as the manager assessed a frustrating week of injuries for his strikers.

The No.15 was absent from the squad at White Hart Lane as the German began his Liverpool tenure with a 0-0 draw against the Londoners in the Barclays Premier League.

With Christian Benteke and Danny Ings also sidelined with injury, Divock Origi started up front in the capital and came closest when he headed onto the crossbar.

Klopp said after the game: “We had a bad week with injuries. The best news is it’s not a serious thing with Daniel. But in a week like this with two ACL, we could not risk it.

“Daniel had a one-on-one situation with Jordon Ibe in training; I didn’t see it but after he said he had a little pain in a muscle.

“We made a diagnosis and screened him to be sure – we can see a little bit of swelling but nothing really serious. So we have to see. I hope he’s ready to play on Thursday.”

The manager continued: “When I came here and thought about Liverpool, I thought ‘four strikers of this quality – cool’. Now I have one.

“That’s not the best situation at this moment, but I like Divock. And young [Jerome] Sinclair was on the bench and was close to coming in.

“Our club works 24 hours to help the players come back. Danny Ings of course needs time; Benteke doesn’t need the same time, he’ll be back next week.

“The best situation is when all the players are 100 per cent but it doesn’t happen so often.”