Jurgen Klopp plays down talk of Daniel Sturridge seeking Liverpool exit
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insisted there was "not a story" when questioned about reports suggesting injury-prone striker Daniel Sturridge is looking to leave the club in the summer.
The England international has been sidelined since early December with a hamstring problem, the latest in a long list of issues which has made him unavailable for more days than not since arriving at the club three years ago.
There was talk on Friday that Sturridge was ready to end his stay at Anfield as he was fed up with public criticism, and there was an inference the 26-year-old was unhappy with how his situation had been handled by the club.
But Klopp was dismissive of the report, maintaining there was little substance to the claims.
"If someone wants to ask me something about what they have heard about, then they can ask me, but not 'suggestions' - I am not interested in this," the German said.
"The Daniel story is not a story. How can it be a story? You cannot create stories and then ask me.
"If someone wants to say something, at least write your name under it and don't suggest something that is not too cool.
"It is absolutely not frustrating - it is not interesting.
"There is absolutely nothing to say about it. I have heard nothing.
"Daniel has been back in training two days and that is great, so everything looks good in this moment. Now it is normal football training.
"What Daniel needs, what each player needs, is consistent training, training, training - that is normal to be fit for Premier League football.
"Obviously there were a few problems in the past with a few injuries, not just since I was here, and that is part of the truth, but this is the past and it would be cool if we could leave it there and we can start from now on.
"We tried everything we could to bring him to this shape and now we are in the moment when hopefully we can get the benefit of this work.
"He's not available this weekend because of training."
Sturridge will not be available for the visit of Sunderland and neither will fellow striker Divock Origi and playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who also both returned to training this week after hamstring injuries.
Meanwhile, Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce insists he has no problem with "soft German" Klopp.
Allardyce takes his struggling side to Liverpool determined to gain revenge for a 1-0 defeat at the Stadium of Light on December 30.
Christian Benteke's lone strike was enough to seal victory that night, although the Reds manager was left fuming that Jeremain Lens' challenge on Mamadou Sakho had not resulted in a red card, prompting a withering response from his opposite number.
However, Allardyce is adamant he meant no offence to the German, who later played down the comment.
The Black Cats chief said: "It was more about maybe German football is softer than ours when he said Jeremain Lens should have been sent off."
Klopp also took in good part further comments made by Allardyce in a radio interview when he was asked for a view on Liverpool's rash of injuries, and his reply was interpreted by some as an attack on the former Borussia Dortmund manager's methods.
The 61-year-old said: "I made a bit of a comment - which I perhaps shouldn't have done - which wasn't directed at him, really.
"You journalists make a big fuss out of what was an honest answer on talkSPORT. (Host) Alan Brazil has apologised to me. When he saw the headlines, he thought they were more ridiculous than me.
"I have no problem. It's great to see him here, he's a great character. Obviously on Saturday, I can't wish him well, but after that, I do."
Sunderland's need is ever more pressing with Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat by Manchester City on Wearside meaning they remain four points adrift of safety with just 14 games remaining, the next three of them trips to Anfield and West Ham either side of Manchester United's visit to the north-east.
Allardyce was buoyed by an encouraging display against Manuel Pellegrini's title-chasers, in which January signings Lamine Kone, Jan Kirchhoff and Wahbi Khazri all impressed, but is under no illusions as to the task ahead with the current bottom five - Aston Villa, Sunderland, Newcastle, Norwich and Swansea - in danger of being cast adrift.
He said: "There's a concern, there's a huge concern. We are in a huge battle to overcome the points difference with the games running out."
Allardyce has concerns over midfielders Yann M'Vila (foot) and Lens (groin) for the trip.
Defender Younes Kaboul will return to the squad after recovering from a hamstring problem which has sidelined him since before Christmas, but midfielder Sebastian Larsson (knee) is still out.
Source: PAR
