Although Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been insisting throughout the campaign that Reds striker Daniel Sturridge remains a vital part of his squad, after suffering a recurrence of his long standing hip problem, it’s being mooted in the media that the hit-man might not only miss the rest of the season, but that he’s now played his last game for the Anfield outfit.
Having pulled up injured in the build-up to the loss against Crystal Palace on Sunday, it’s highly likely that the 27-year old won’t feature for Liverpool again this season, joining the likes of Sadio Mane, Danny Ings and quite possibly club captain Jordan Henderson in watching their teammates try to secure Champions League football for next season.
Sturridge’s time on Merseyside has been blighted by fitness problems with the striker missing the better part of the last two seasons with a hip and various muscle problems keeping him off the pitch more than on it. While there’s certainly been interest in the former Chelsea man from club’s throughout England, Klopp has thus far refused to part ways with him — a stance that’s almost certainly set to change when the transfer window reopens this summer.
The likes of Southampton, Arsenal and West Ham United are all rumoured to be keeping a close eye on the situation and the Reds must now be weighing up just what they’d be able to command for Sturridge with his fitness problems sure to give any potential suitors pause. Klopp, for his part, is expected to be being handed the biggest transfer kitty in the history of the club, so he shouldn’t have to first part ways with Sturridge before bringing in a suitable replacement — the quality of which will almost certainly hinge on whether or not we get to hear the Champions League anthem at Anfield next season.
