Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp addressed Daniel Sturridge’s future at the club on Friday, and insisted that the striker isn’t going anywhere.
Speculation leading up to the January transfer window has suggested that the England international could be on his way out of Anfield.
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With a lack of regular first-team football, having made just four Premier League starts so far this season, coupled with his on-going injury concerns, it felt as though it was merely a matter of time before he moved on.
However, Klopp mocked the media for making up stories and then asking him about them as he seemed to entirely rule out the possibility of the 27-year-old leaving.
“The funny thing is you create stories that aren’t stories, and then you ask me about the stories that aren’t stories,” said Klopp, as reported by Sky Sports.
“There is absolutely no idea to sell anybody from the first-team squad. It wouldn’t make sense.”
However, there is still a setback though as it’s expected that Sturridge will miss this weekend’s clash with Bournemouth as he continues to struggle with a calf injury.
“Unfortunately Daniel is not in training,” Klopp added. “That’s what I’m most concerned about, more than transfer rumours, I’m prepared for January. What you ask me will be funny I’m sure.”
That will be the biggest source of frustration for him as with Philippe Coutinho injured and with Sadio Mane set to be away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations next month, Sturridge could have had a chance of a real run in the team to prove his worth and silence the critics.
Instead, he’s fighting to recover and reach full fitness yet again, but it seems as though his manager hasn’t run out of patience and intends on relying on him this season.