Daniel Sturridge, Liverpool Agree to New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge may have missed the last six of the club's matches due to injury, but that didn't stop the Reds from presenting the England international with a new contract that will see him remain at the club for the foreseeable future.

The club's Twitter feed broke the news on Friday:

The 25-year-old's new contract is a five-year deal that will keep him at Anfield until 2019. As reported by Liverpoolfc.com's James Carroll, Sturridge mainly expressed his gratitude to the club that took a chance on him when he arrived from Chelsea in 2013:

"

It feels great. It's a big, big day in my life to commit to this club and to give the club my best years, which are ahead of me.

I am thankful for the opportunity and that is the reason I committed my future. Everyone has been great with me, from the fans to the staff to the players, so it was an easy decision. I'm happy with how everything is going.

"

A return of 36 goals in 52 appearances (per Carroll), including 21 in the last Premier League season, has seen Sturridge establish himself as arguably the best English striker at the moment, and he was the early favourite to win the top scorer's title this year before his injury.

He's close to returning to action, however, and his return couldn't come any sooner. Liverpool have won just one of their last four matches, per WhoScored.com, and summer acquisition Mario Balotelli has struggled to carry the scoring load in Sturridge's absence.

Football journalist Melissa Reddy loved the message the striker gave the fans as he signed:

According to the Daily Mirror's David Anderson, his wages will be almost tripled:

Liverpool had a busy summer transfer window, focusing mainly on the acquisition of young talent, often from foreign leagues. Sturridge's Premier League experience can only help this young squad, who have top-four aspirations on their mind.

The news of his signing will surely boost morale in the dressing room, with the team now knowing one of the Premier League's most prolific scorers will be doing what he does best for the Reds for the next five years.

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