This isn’t anything new to us but every time we see this, it rather hurts, as the guy is immensely talented. He was primed for big things but unfortunately, Sturridge’s career hasn’t panned out that way. Now, it looks like he is injured once again!
Amidst all the speculation regarding his future at the club, the Reds frontman shined in Wednesday’s 3-0 friendly win over Sydney FC in Australia, but it looked like he was playing through the pain barrier for the opening 45 minutes after completing a gruelling 24 hours of travel before the game.
It has been reported by Liverpool Echo that Sturridge will have an injection in his hip in a bid to combat the discomfort when Jurgen Klopp’s squad return to the UK on Friday – ruling him out of the World Cup qualifier against Scotland on June 10 and the friendly against France three days later.
It seems like Daniel’s priority is ensuring that he’s ready for the start of pre-season training in July, but Liverpool Echo says that there are no guarantees that he will still be a Liverpool player then.
Sturridge has two years remaining on his £150,000 per week contract and started just 7 Premier League matches during another injury-plagued season. Asked if he wanted Sturridge to stay put, Klopp said:
“That’s not the question, it’s nothing for here. Whatever I say it would be a headline and I don’t want headlines after the season. I am fine with the headlines already.”
Klopp also revealed that discussions have already been held with Sturridge about his long-term prospects at the club.
Klopp added: “When I see this with Daniel playing well with Roberto and Steven Gerrard, I think maybe I am three years too late in coming to Liverpool! What can I say? This kind of football game makes it easy to enjoy what they are doing. We speak about everything.”
“We spoke, we speak. It’s not just a case of starting with things now. It’s not just my talks, it’s talks with (sporting director) Michael Edwards, with agents or whatever. We speak to everybody. In the end, everybody will know what happens when it happens.”
“It is not always in our hands. It’s not just about Daniel. That’s how transfers work – whether someone stays or not. There are a few things still to do this summer but we have time. We will look who we bring in and then we will see who wants to leave. At the end of August at the latest, then we will have a squad. It’s not very likely it will be all done on July 5.”
There was no doubting the impact Sturridge made against Sydney FC as he fired home the opening goal before creating the third for Roberto Firmino. Though it was a friendly game, it was good to see Sturridge in good touch. If Klopp decides to keep the 27-year old at the club, and if the player manages to stay fit, then surely, Sturridge will have a great season and will certainly score goals for fun.
Do you think we should keep Sturridge at the club?
