‘Klopp 1-0 Sturridge’: Mark Lawrenson gives his take on the rumours linking striker with Liverpool exit

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Sturridge has scored just 12 Premier League goals since guiding Liverpool to within inches of a Premier League title in 2013/14.

Mark Lawrenson has questioned why Jurgen Klopp would ever consider selling Daniel Sturridge but insists the fact he can leave him on the bench demonstrates the strength of the current Liverpool side, as reported by the Belfast Telegraph.

The future of the England international has been subjected to intense speculation recently, with a number of clubs (Echo) linked with a striker who finally appears to be free of injury problems but, ironically, has struggled for game time regardless this season.

Klopp has frequently deployed attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino as a false nine due to his textbook ability to press from the front and link play, not to mention his improving goal rate.

Consequently, Sturridge, who has struggled to adapt to the rapid pass-and-move nature of the German’s blueprint, has started only four Premier League games this season and is without a goal in the top flight since a 2-2 draw with Newcastle in April.

However, Lawrenson believes it can only be a positive that a player with the talent of Sturridge can be dropped without influencing results, but hopes Klopp is not thinking of casting off the 27-year-old any time soon.

“It is a fantastic position for the club to be in,” said the former centre-back in quotes reported by the Belfast Telegraph.

“It’s like Klopp 1, Sturridge 0 because, when Klopp came, the questions were about how he was going to get him fit and, now he is fit, he can’t get in the side.

“But you don’t do anything with him at the moment. You can bring him on and he will score you a goal out of nothing.

“You can’t get players like him, he is different to what Klopp has and he would make one of the top teams stronger so why would you sell him?

“The only way you get rid of Daniel Sturridge is if you have someone lined up to come in.”

The Mirror reported that West Ham and Stoke will not be deterred by a £28 million price tag for the striker, who offered a reminder of his predatory instincts with a deft header in England’s World Cup qualifying win against Scotland on Friday.

However, with Danny Ings on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, and Divock Origi Liverpool’s only alternative centre-forward, it seems unlikely that Klopp would sanction a sale midway through the season, especially if Liverpool have genuine title ambitions.