Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is ‘not happy’ with striker Daniel Sturridge and his future at the club could now be in jeopardy, talkSPORT have been told.
The England striker has experienced a bit-part role under the German boss this season, having started just four Premier League games.
Sturridge is frustrated with sitting on the bench but it seems the Reds boss is frustrated too, with Klopp reportedly unhappy with his commitment levels and ability to play a team game.
There is no doubting Sturridge’s goalscoring ability. He was Liverpool’s top scorer with 13 goals last season and has been their main goal threat since Luis Suarez’s departure to Barcelona in 2014.
But Klopp’s regime focuses on the whole, rather than individuals, and Sturridge has struggled to impress.
He has scored just twice for Liverpool this term, a brace against Burton Albion in the EFL Cup, and has now gone more than ten hours without finding the net in the Premier League.
And, according to talkSPORT’s Micky Quinn, Klopp’s patience is wearing thin.
“I’ve heard on the grapevine that Klopp is not happy with Sturridge,” Quinn, a lifelong Liverpool fan with close links to the club, said on Tuesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.
“Klopp really gave him an ear-bashing a couple of games ago.”
Quinn even believes the Reds could cash in on Sturridge in the January transfer window, with Klopp likely to use the funds to land a striker who fits his style.
“To me, the one thing about Liverpool is they’ve got so much talent in attack,” he added.
“They’ve got Coutinho, Firmino, Origi, Lallana – there are a lot of options and it’s probably the one position where they can afford to let a player go.
“He doesn’t look the same player does he? You can’t fault his goalscoring ability, but does he work hard enough in the other aspects of the game?
“I think he might be gone in the January transfer window.”