Liverpool Transfer News: Daniel Sturridge Discusses Jurgen Klopp, Reds Future

Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge has insisted he has a working relationship with manager Jurgen Klopp, although he revealed he doesn’t expect to stay with the Reds for the rest of his career. 

It’s been an intriguing season for Sturridge. After trying to get fit for so long, the forward is finally a regular member of the Liverpool squad again. However, Klopp seems to favour Divock Origi for big matches, and even though the Belgian was out injured for the Reds’ trip to Villarreal on Thursday, the manager opted for a striker-less system.

Still, Sturridge suggested he has no problems when it comes to his manager, per Rob Draper of the Mail on Sunday:

"

In every job in life, someone's the manager, everyone else is employees and that's life.

For me, our relationship is OK, there are no problems on my part. I've never said a bad word about the boss and never will say a bad word because he's the manager of Liverpool and he's the voice of the club. He's the person who represents the club on a global stage, so you have to respect the man and the things he says.

"

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The Reds lost the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final with Villarreal by a 1-0 scoreline, and with goals needed in the return fixture at Anfield, it’s going to be fascinating to see whether Klopp turns to Sturridge.

Bleacher Report’s Jack Lusby thinks Klopp dropped a clanger not turning to the striker during the clash with the Primera Division side:

It suggests the manager has concerns when it comes to some aspects of the forward’s game. There are clearly facets of Origi’s make-up—his work rate, willingness to run the channels and hold-up play—that Klopp values. While Sturridge has a lot more guile than the Belgian, he’s not yet shown himself to be robust enough to lead the line for the Reds boss.

If he’s not the right fit, talk of a transfer will inevitably surface. Already this year there have been reports stating Paris Saint-Germain are keeping an eye on him, per Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline. Sturridge recently revealed he doesn’t see his long-term future at Anfield, per Sky Sports:

"

There are things I want to achieve with Liverpool. I would never say I am Liverpool until I die, because I would be lying.

I think any player who says, 'Oh yeah, this is the only team I will play for, for the rest of my life', they are deluded. In football, every team looks for replacements every single year.

"

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

It's still early days for Sturridge under Klopp at Liverpool, and it’d be a big shock were he not at the club next season.

After all, this is a footballer who did not put together a sustained spell of games for a long time before the German came to the club in October. With a full pre-season under his belt, perhaps Sturridge will show more to the manager to suggest he’s the man to lead the line in big games.

As these numbers from WhoScored.com illustrate, when it comes to goalscoring, there’s no issue whatsoever with Sturridge:

It’s going to be a fascinating end to the season for the player. If Sturridge can make an impact in the Reds’ Europa League charge, it’d be a massive boost for him going into the summer’s UEFA European Championship. However, should Klopp play with Roberto Firmino as the most advanced man again on Thursday, you worry for the striker under this regime.

Sturridge continues to set exemplary standards in front of goal, but it seems as though under this manager and the way he demands his teams play, that’s not enough. Liverpool fans will be hoping that challenges their star forward into becoming more than just a great goalscorer.