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So how’s everyone’s week been going? In case you were feeling a bit too jolly, here’s a bit of a downer to give you a break from all of those feel good stories coming out of Liverpool world recently.
Jürgen Klopp, when asked about Daniel Sturridge’s future with the club, seemed to lay the groundwork for a summer full of transfer speculation by given a strategic non-answer in response.
“I have no idea what happens in the summer. It is not only Daniel but a lot of players,” Klopp hedged.
“Daniel was not in training for eight or nine days because of a virus infection. We have to bring him back to the best shape possible and then bring this season to an end as successfully as possible.
“Then we will make decisions and speak about Daniel and any other players about what will happen at the end of the season. A lot of things will influence this and we can speak about it when it is time.”
Sturridge has been a player in decline for the past few seasons. Even at his peak, he was still plagued by injury problems. Now, at 27-years-old, it seems that he is not able to bounce back after his frequent lay-offs the way he had in the past.
It could be argued that it’s the right time to get rid of the player, when the team can still get some money for him, likely from a mid-table side looking for some help up top. However, if he does go in the summer, it will be bittersweet to see such a promising player and all-around good character leave the club.
His first few seasons at Anfield, especially while playing alongside Luis Suarez, filled fans with hope for the future. Sturridge seemed thrilled to be at a club where the fans embraced him and the manager recognized his considerable talents.
Things have gone south for him since the high of the 2013-2014 season. He’s missed more games than he’s played, and when he does make an appearance, he isn’t the game-changer that he once was.
Still, it’s only March. The summer transfer gossip has barely even started yet, and there will surely be plenty for twists and turns to this story before September 1st.