Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp feels Daniel Sturridge can make a vital contribution as the Reds aim for their first top-flight domestic title in 29 years.
The Birmingham-born forward was shipped out to West Brom for the second half of last season and has seen inconsistency and persistent injuries restrict him to just 61 Premier League appearances and 17 goals in the last five campaigns.
However, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane not able to play a full part in pre-season following the World Cup, Sturridge has seized his chance to impress, netting three goals in victories against Chester and Blackburn Rovers before impressing in the club’s 3-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund.
Reflecting on the 28-year-old’s performances, Klopp was positive and feels the former Manchester City academy graduate must play his own game.
“We’re not in doubt – and nobody was ever in doubt – about his quality. In this moment he looks really good, to be honest. That’s cool – really cool for him and cool for us,” the German told Liverpool’s official website.
“[It’s] a very important moment for him. I am in talks with him, what he feels. I don’t want to make him the most physically strongest player in the squad or whatever.
“The most physically strong player in the squad cannot play football like Daniel Sturridge and he has no possibility to be that, to be the marathon man of the team, but he can be a very decisive player. It’s a good moment and hopefully it will stay like that.”
Liverpool play two more International Champions Cup matches against Pep Guardiola’s Man City and Manchester United before going up against Napoli and Torino in their final two friendlies.
The post Daniel Sturridge could be “decisive” for Liverpool this season – Jurgen Klopp appeared first on Squawka News.
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