LIVERPOOL -- Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge must overcome the pain barrier to put his injury nightmares behind him, manager Jurgen Klopp says.
Klopp insists that Sturridge's latest setback -- a foot problem that forced him to miss Thursday's 2-1 Europa League victory over Bordeaux -- is not serious.
But the England international has missed all nine of the German's matches in charge of Liverpool, having been absent for more than a month with a bruised knee.
There is no guarantee that Sturridge, who has made just 10 Premier League starts since the beginning of last season following a string of injury problems, will be available for Sunday's home game against Swansea.
"I understand why everybody's waiting," the Liverpool boss said. "Daniel has very often been injured in the last few months and years.
"If it wasn't someone with the quality of Daniel, no one would think about it. You have to learn to adapt to the new intensity of training. You have to learn what is serious pain and what is only pain.
"Everybody wants him back on the pitch but we all have to learn. The training was intensive, as it should have been. We've had to make an assessment [of the injury]. It's not that serious but it's not possible to train as before. That's completely normal after a long injury.
"Last season he had surgery, and had a really long period out. He has only played three games since, but we have to stay patient. I am sorry for you, sorry for me and sorry for him. But that's the situation."
Asked if Sturridge could play on Sunday, Klopp said: "I don't really know if Daniel has a chance."
In the absence of the England striker, Christian Benteke impressed in attack, winning a penalty -- scored by James Milner -- before scoring the decisive goal against Bordeaux.
Benteke has struggled with hamstring and knee problems since arriving from Aston Villa for £32.5 million in July, and Klopp is unsure about asking him to play two matches in four days.
With Danny Ings recovering from cruciate knee ligament surgery, that means Roberto Firmino is likely to be pushed forward into the main striker's role against Swansea, while Divock Origi is another option.
Klopp said: "We have Christian, Divock and Roberto. We need all of them for this big number of games. I don't know if Christian can play two games in three days. We have to decide."