The 25-year-old suffered the problem while on international duty with England last week and Rodgers claimed the injury "could have been prevented".

Sturridge strained his thigh during a training session at St George's Park last Friday, just over 36 hours after playing 89 minutes of the friendly against Norway.

A full three-week lay-off would rule the frontman out of three Premier League games, including the Merseyside derby at home to Everton on September 27, their opening two UEFA Champions League matches and the Capital One Cup tie with Middlesbrough.

"It could be up to three weeks," said Rodgers. "We're obviously disappointed because we feel it was an injury which could have been prevented.

"I think clubs work differently at times to international teams.

"It's more the recovery strategy. When we look at our players here we look at them individually in terms of what their needs are.

"Fast players would have a second day recovery while other players can work on that day.

"When you are that type of quick player like Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and boys like Danny Welbeck you need to recover them.

"He (Sturridge) has worked so hard over pre-season and looked very fit and strong in our last game against Tottenham."

Sturridge's absence places extra responsibility on new signing Mario Balotelli, who played 61 minutes on his debut at White Hart Lane following his £16m arrival from AC Milan.

Meanwhile, midfielder Emre Can could be out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury sustained playing for Germany U21s.