LIVERPOOL MANAGER JURGEN Klopp offered no assurances over forward Daniel Sturridge’s future at the club.
The England international has battled numerous injuries this season, making just five Premier League starts and scoring twice.
Sturridge, 27, was linked with a move away in January but ended up staying at Anfield, although speculation over his future continues to persist.
Klopp said Thursday he gave no consideration as to who would exit his squad in the off-season, as he looked to Sturridge to possibly give Liverpool a boost late in the campaign.
The thing is that it was not an easy season so far but there are still six games to go and he is back. I’m happy about this,” he told a news conference.
“He had an impact when he came on against Stoke. We have to decide always after the few sessions he made, like I said after the game, ‘how long should we force it or try to use his freshness when he is coming on?’ That is my decision at the end.
I don’t think a second with the actual squad about the next season. We are in the season and around this we plan different things like transfers, as you can imagine, but who will leave we have never thought about it.”
Another player whose Liverpool future is uncertain is Mamadou Sakho, who has impressed since his loan move to Crystal Palace in January.
Klopp has kept an eye on the France defender, saying: “You can imagine like all the plans we have for next season, we speak about behind closed doors.
“In the moment when we have to say something we will say something. I see a lot of Premier League games so I see Crystal Palace too and I see how he is playing there and all this stuff.”
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£120k a week for a player who’s constantly injured and even when fully fit his form can be hit or miss. Time for Liverpool to cut their losses
@Brian O’Loughlin: when he’s fully fit he is excellent. The problem is he never is. He is the first choice attacking sub behind Coutinho Firmino and Mane but when you can’t rely on him to be fit as back up then you know it’s time to get rid.
@Joe Bloggs: I don’t think his style of play suits a Klopp team. You have players like Lallana, Coutinho, Firmino and Mane running themselves into the ground, pressing, chasing, etc…then Sturridge comes on and it all just seems to slow down. He jogs around with no real urgency.
@Brian O’Loughlin: and then the ball breaks to him and he pings one into the far corner.
@Stephen Keane: when he’s not playing full fit (always) he is useless might as well play with 10
Gone in the summer. Not being funny but he’ll be thinking of the World Cup next year. He won’t go if he’s not playing simple. England have other options now Vardy Rashford Ali even Defoe is probably ahead of him at the moment
@Johnny Bravo: I doubt very much he is bothered about the World Cup, he will only be bothered about the dramatic cut in his wages when Liverpool cut him adrift.
Unlikely to play many games for his next club anyway as he will be ‘injured’ most of the time.
@Martin Fahy: of course he will be Martin caps and tournaments appearances are all factored in when contracts and fees are being agreed
its the reporters that talk about Sturridge. Klopp says he wont talk about any individual. It then gets spun into Klopp not saying something and thats a story. lazy stuff
@Dan: be thankful it doesn’t happen that often other managers can’t fart daily without a story be made about it
Cash in on him during the summer. Should be able to get at least 15 million for him.
Daniel sturridge has to stay at Liverpool even if he only plays 15/20 games a season. Phenomenal talent. Anonymous for 80/90 mins and change a game with a touch of magic. If he is gotten rid off has to be replaced by someone out of top drawer. Lacassette or a Reus.
@Games Greatest: how many touches of magic did he have this season then ? has the pain threshold of a 90 year old