Liverpool reportedly rejected a load bid from French giants Paris Saint-Germain for Daniel Sturridge. It seems like PSG were interested in taking Sturridge on a temporary basis, but Liverpool had other ideas.
Liverpool have lacked depth on the flanks and up front and it was evident when their top-scorer Sadio Mane departed to participate in The Africa Cup Of Nations in January. Their disappointing form in 2017 coincided with Mane’s absence as Klopp was left searching for options.
Sturridge missed the clash against Leicester, where Liverpool lost 3-1, due to a viral infection but he could be back for the game against Arsenal.
Sturridge has started only 9 games so far this season and has been an unused substitute on 6 occasions, with four of those being against big teams – Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City. The manager clearly trusts in Firmino/Mane more than Sturridge and the Englishman will have his task cut out if he has to displace Sadio Mane off his throne.
However, it would be wise for the £120,000-a-week striker to move away from Liverpool next season. There will be no shortage of suitors and it will not be difficult to seal a move elsewhere. With Klopp being unsure about the player’s future, there are chances that Daniel may seek new pastures soon.
Klopp was quoted by FourFourTwo, “I have no idea what happens in the summer. It is not only Daniel but a lot of players. Daniel was not in training for eight or nine days because of a virus infection. We have to bring him 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.”
This clearly indicates that there is no guarantee that any Liverpool player would stay at Anfield next season if the performances are not up to the mark, and Sturridge would not be an exception. Though there is no question about Sturridge’s quality on the pitch, the fact that he isn’t getting enough opportunities suggests that it wouldn’t be an easy way back for the Englishman at Liverpool.
