Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp gives a thumbs up on Sturridge’s fitness
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that after watching Daniel Sturridge in training, it is clear why everybody is waiting for his return to action.
Sturridge was an unused substitute on Saturday afternoon during Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland but is set to make his return this evening against West Ham United in the FA Cup after a two-month lay-off.
The former Chelsea striker, who has scored four goals in six matches in all competitions this season, has not played for the Reds since December 6th when they lost 2-0 away to Newcastle United. He picked up hamstring injury that afternoon and was then tasked with going through a new training regime in January before he could return.
Daniel Sturridge has hit the target with 63% of his efforts on goal.
After having come through that ‘mini pre-season’ as Klopp put it, he’s now on the verge of returning and his manager has admitted it is clear to see why everyone’s excited for his return having seen him in training.
“I think everybody hopes this in the case,” Klopp said to the Liverpool Echo. “Daniel hopes it. I hope it. When we saw him in training, then yeah, you know why everybody is waiting for him.
“In this moment, it is thumbs up. And now if it’s possible, don’t let us think about the past, and how it was, maybe now we can start.
“Why shouldn’t it be possible? It’s possible. And then everything will be good, and hopefully in one year, we don’t want to talk about this anymore. I don’t know if it’s realistic, but we will see.”
Sturridge has endured some difficult times over the past 18 months as he only made 12 appearances in the top flight last season due to several different injuries. Even reaching that number was difficult, too, as it was clear the striker was not fit in those matches.
However, Klopp will hope that he has finally found the solution to Sturridge’s problems and tonight is the start of a new beginning for the striker who scored 21 league goals in 2013/14.