Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has told ESPN that he expects Daniel Sturridge to leave Liverpool in January. Sturridge, 28, is willing to consider a move abroad in the January window, with the likes of Real Betis and Valencia particularly keen, as per Daily Mail.

The striker is ready to leave Liverpool and is open to the opportunity of playing in Europe as he looks to play more regularly. Sturridge has shrugged off his injury woes this season so far but he has struggled to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s first-team plans.

Regular football has been hard to come by for the 28-year-old this season and the former Chelsea ace has only managed to start one game under Klopp since the end of October. The past few years have been frustrating for the England international, with several injury setbacks coupled with Klopp’s preference for Roberto Firmino limiting his game time.

Sturridge, who sat out Sunday’s Merseyside derby with a slight hamstring injury, has reportedly decided the time is now to end his four and a half year stay at Anfield.

Pundit Nicol has backed Sturridge to leave the Reds in order to gain regular first-team opportunities ahead of World Cup.

“I think a move to Valencia would suit him. I think he certainly has to go. Why he’s still at Liverpool I don’t know,” Nicol told ESPN.

“Personally I thought he would move in the last couple of transfer windows. I’m going to say this is another hit.”

It is believed Sturridge will leave Liverpool to boost his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup. The England boss left the striker out of the latest England squad for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil, stating that the player’s lack of game time was the reason for him being dropped.

While a lack of regular game time has played a big part in this, Sturridge has not scored double digits in the English top flight since the 2013/14 season when he struck up a deadly partnership with Luis Suarez, who now plays for Barcelona.

The England international has never really clicked with Klopp since the German took charge of Liverpool. He played 20 games last campaign, starting 7, and managed just 3 league goals.

However, with a bumper festive fixture list ahead, Klopp will be hoping that Sturridge sticks around and helps our side finish the season in the top-4.