:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38036356/451109602.0.jpg)
Reports that Daniel Sturridge suffered an unspecified injury while on international duty with England wasn't the best way to start the day, with news expected later in the day and/or through the weekend regarding the player's fitness. For those thankfully not away with their national team, though, things are slightly more positive, with a number of senior squad players involved in a closed-doors friendly against Wolves this afternoon. Among those in the eleven were Mario Balotelli, Jose Enrique, Kolo Toure, Fabio Borini, and, most excitingly, Adam Lallana.
Wolves lost 1-0 to Liverpool in behind-closed-doors friendly today. First 90 mins in Wolves colours for Saville and Rowe in a good workout.
— Wolves (@OfficialWolves) September 5, 2014
Borini was reportedly the match's lone goalscorer, while Enrique completed a full 90 minutes for the first time in nearly a year. Most of the attention on Twitter was paid to an apparent incident involving Balotelli; talk ranged from a boot delivered to the head of a Wolves player to a mild coming-together that saw their feet tangled, and it was ultimately described by the ever-reliable Daily Mail as a "50-50 challenge with a Wolves player." Scandal!
The return to action for Lallana should be the talking point, though, as it appears he's closer and closer to featuring in an actual match for the first time since joining Liverpool this summer. He was expected to be included against Spurs last weekend, but Brendan Rodgers ultimately decided to allow an additional few weeks before bringing him back. His presence will only strengthen an attacking contingent that started to click against Spurs, and Rodgers will thankfully have some very difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks.
