LIVERPOOL MANAGER Jurgen Klopp urged Daniel Sturridge to stay focused despite speculation about his future, saying the Reds still need the England striker.
Sturridge has made just four Premier League starts this season and another four off the bench, scoring twice.
The England international is likely to need more game time if he is to make Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, but Klopp — whose side visit Sevilla in the Champions League on — said he wanted Sturridge focused on Liverpool.
“I can imagine a player with his quality is not happy that he is not starting all the time, but that’s all,” he said.
“The situation with the player is completely OK. At this moment we are in November and need all our players — even if he feels a little different.
“There is around one-and-a-half months before the window opens and I don’t think about things like this. There are so many games before then and I need all of them.”
Sturridge made 26 starts and scored 21 league goals in 2013-14, but has since netted 17 league goals in 29 starts in three-plus seasons while often struggling with injuries.
This season, the forward has been unable to unseat Jurgen Klopp’s first-choice forward trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane.
And England manager Southgate dropped the 28-year-old from the Three Lions squad that faced Germany and Brazil earlier this month, saying: “He’s not playing regularly. I think it’s very difficult. I don’t remember the last time Daniel had 90 minutes.”
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A striker as good as any in Europe when fit and firing. Klopp obviously still fancies him as Origi is shipped out, Solanke can’t get in either. Klopp picks 11 that suits his syste. Sturridge has to take his chance when it comes and he will just like last season when firing home against the Hammers when all were nervous he blasted home to settle the nerves. 4 starts 2 goals this season proves what we know. Give him chances he scores. Staying fit was the problem now it’s getting in. Have to feel a bit for him. Y.N.W.A.
Tells you all you need to know about Liverpool. Sturridge wouldn’t get into the matchday squad of any of the top 6 bar Liverpool.
@Thomas McGilly: bang on my brother!
@Thomas McGilly: This whole article is about the fact that Sturridge doesn’t get into Liverpools match day XI so what the hell is your point about the top six??? Did you just look at the photo and make a comment down the bottom of the page? Did you even read the article??
@CorkMurphy: Now now you angry illiterate. Did you even read my comment???????? I said matchday SQUAD not matchday XI. Back into your angry bosca there Bosco.
LOL our daily LFC non story continues
This sicknote is past his prime. If fact he never was a prime time player. One decent season with Suarez got him into the headlines.
Remember, there was a reason Chelsea & Man Utd dumped him. He is an injury prone, egotistical nightmare who only cares about a cringeworthy dance move and selling baseball hats.
@Whatshisname: Man Utd would of been delighted to have him you mean City.
@Whatshisname: if you have a problem with the “daily lfc non story” dont read them. There happens to be a lot of irish liverpool fans who want to read articles on liverpool stories.
@Whatshisname: you mustn’t know much about talent as the lad has bags of it. His scoring ratio to games is excellent. Injuries are his problem though. A game during pre season summed him up, scores cracker of a goal but gets injured doing so.
@Mick Power: yes city
@Let free speech live: that was only during the Suarez era when he kept teeing up Sturridge. He was pony before and since Suarez was there
@Daire O’Reilly: liverpool non stories are daily. I read all articles and I then decide if i want to comment or not. Thanks for your reply! I enjoy feedback to my posts
@Whatshisname: you are wrong man, his goals to game ratio is up there with the best. His appearance levels are the problem. Try look past the badge on his jersey and try give an honest assessment of the player. As a pool fan I would have a fully fit Sturridge all day long in match day squad or team. A fully fit Sturridge is rare so they should probably sell him.
@Let free speech live: I’ve been to Anfield and seen him in person. I understand you have your red tinted glasses on but he’s not good enough mate. Fit or injured
Riveting stuff.
Poor Daniel Stillinjured ! He needs to start a new club with Jack Wheelchair and Garth Pale
@powerfix: Ah look everybody it’s the unemployed ” PowerSponger “. That once bright prospect Luke Shaw should join them. Eh “PowerSponger” !
@Is mise muc gránna: still liking your own comments I see. Poor little sad boy
To justify the physio’s wages. They’d be better off getting rid.
Needs a move badly. Would do well at a Newcastle/Watford. Days at Liverpool looked numbered over two seasons ago
Get rid of him, bloody useless and always injured.
The only good period in his career was when he had was with Suarez. The fact was that Suarez always needed to be double marked always left Sturridge free and any fool could score when unmarked..
Won’t be in World Cup squad if he stays , needs regular games and even if it gets that still well down the pecking order at the moment.