London - Daniel Sturridge is ready to quit Liverpool this summer over his fury at criticism questioning his desire to play for the club.
Manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken publicly of his frustrations over Sturridge’s fitness and several former Anfield stars have intimated it is time for the club to sign a replacement. Sturridge is fed up at a growing perception that he lacks the hunger to fulfil his potential and believes a clean break is required this summer.
The 26-year-old still has two-and-a-half years to run on his £150 000-per-week contract, meaning Liverpool are likely to demand a high price. He has the qualities of a £60million striker, but his fitness record means he is likely to be valued closer to £20m.
Sturridge is desperate to regain the form that made him one of the most feared strikers in Europe. He took a significant step forward from his latest injury yesterday, returning to full training after two months out with a hamstring problem.
Sturridge believes he could play against Sunderland on Saturday, but Klopp is likely to pencil him in for a return next week. He is desperate to prove his fitness between now and the end of the season and will give everything in Liverpool’s pursuit of FA Cup, Capital One Cup and Europa League glory.
Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United will be in the market for a new striker this summer. Sportsmail can reveal the Gunners showed serious interest in Sturridge in January 2013, but the financial implications meant they decided against pursuing a move and Sturridge joined Liverpool from Chelsea for £12m. But manager Arsene Wenger could now revive his interest.
Sturridge’s former clubs Chelsea and Manchester City could also be in the mix as both are keen to improve their homegrown quota. The player will consider a move to a top European club but would prefer to stay in the Premier League.
There will not be a shortage of interested parties, particularly if he has a successful European Championship with England.
He led the attack during the 2014 World Cup and Roy Hodgson rates him as his most naturally gifted striker.
In November, Klopp said: ‘We have to accept that Danny was very often injured in the last few months, maybe years.
‘With Danny you have to learn to adapt to new intensity of training and you have to learn what is serious pain and what is only pain.’
It has also not gone unnoticed by Sturridge that former Liverpool stars, including Dietmar Hamann and Phil Thompson, have intimated Klopp should sign a new first-choice striker.
Daily Mail