Jurgen Klopp has conceded that Daniel Sturridge’s days at Liverpool could be numbered and that discussions regarding the striker’s future are expected to be held ahead of the summer transfer window
Amidst a lack of playing time this season, there has been feverish speculation linking Liverpool star striker Daniel Sturridge with a move away from the Anfield club at the end of the season.
It was hence no surprise that Jurgen Klopp on Tuesday conceded the need to review the striker’s Anfield future, with a club exit looking the likeliest possibility.
Once a guaranteed starter, Sturridge has gradually become a peripheral figure in the Liverpool setup owing to the success of the first-choice attacking partnership of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane.
He has a paltry five Premier League appearances to his name this season, with just one goal against Sunderland to show for. The England international, at the age of 27, has two more years left on his lucrative Anfield contract, but if his recent time at the club is any indication, it is unlikely he’ll stay that long.
Klopp has never been in denial about Sturridge’s quality as a football professional but he admits that his Liverpool future hangs in the balance and was quoted as saying, “We have to bring him[Daniel] back to the best shape possible and then bring this season to an end as successfully as possible.”
“Then we will make decisions and speak about Daniel and any other players about what will happen at the end of the season. A lot of things will influence this and we can speak about it when it is time,” he said.
Sturridge was out of action during Liverpool’s miserable 3-1 loss against Leicester City due to a viral infection but is expected to return for the crunch clash against Arsenal next weekend.
Sturridge has been subject to interest from Premier League clubs and even Ligue 1 giants Paris St. Germain in recent months and it remains to be seen whether he will swap loyalties come summer.
The 27-year-old isn’t the only one who is expected to feature on the Anfield summer “selling list” with the likes of Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva and Emre Can all expected to make the cut.
