Jurgen Klopp is so impressed with Daniel Sturridge’s pre-season form that the Liverpool manager could sanction a new deal for the forward, reports The Daily Mirror.
Sturridge has generally struggled to make a significant impression on Klopp since the German was appointed manager in October 2015 and even spent the second half of last season on loan at West Brom.
Injuries have really impacted Sturridge’s career in the last few years and the England international was expected to head a mass exodus of deadwood at Anfield this summer.
However, the 28-year-old has made a real impression on Klopp in pre-season and has particularly struck up a blossoming friendship with new recruit Naby Keita.
Sturridge has entered the final 12 months of his current Liverpool deal and he will have the chance to prove his credentials next season with a view to a new contract.
Klopp has accepted that Liverpool are unlikely to find a replacement for Philippe Coutinho after appearing to miss out on Lyon captain Nabil Fekir and his deployment of Sturridge would suggest a new role for the forward.
Sturridge, who has lost a yard of pace due to injuries over the years, has been deployed in a No.10 role for Liverpool this summer and flourished for the Premier League giants.
Since the start of the 2014/15 campaign, Sturridge has only started 19.7% of Liverpool’s Premier League matches.
