Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admits he must do what is best for Daniel Sturridge's fitness

Daniel Sturridge could return for Liverpool against Manchester City

JURGEN KLOPP has admitted he must balance the temptation to plunge Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge straight back into action with what is best for the striker’s long term fitness.

 

Sturridge has declared himself “fit and ready” ahead of Saturday’s game with Manchester City after returning to full training this week following his latest injury setback.

The forward has yet to play for Klopp after suffering a knee injury in the build up to the German manager’s first game in charge at Tottenham at the start of last month.

Klopp has been impressed by Sturridge’s quality during the time he has worked with him, but acknowledges the risk of pitching the attacker straight into the fray given his fitness record.

 

“He is as fit as he can be after this long break,” said Klopp. “Of course, he is not at 100% and now we have to see. I have to think about it.

“His quality is outstanding, but everyone needs training. Today was the third full exercise with the team after five weeks break. As a striker sometimes five minutes are enough. We need to see.

“The problem with Daniel’s quality is it is obvious. When you see it in training you think, ‘Right, nice.’ But we have to think about it. He has to train that is for sure because he has had four and a half weeks out. I am not sure Liverpool has that long a break in the summer.

 

“So for four and a half weeks he couldn’t train. He wasn’t cycling or running. But because he is such a skilled guy after a few minutes you think, ‘Maybe we should.’

“Everyone wants to see more of him on the pitch but we have to find the right balance and we will see.”

Sturridge saw last season decimated by calf and thigh problems before his campaign was cut short when he underwent a hip operation.

The visit to the Etihad sees Liverpool confront former player, Raheem Sterling, for the first time since his acrimonious £49m move to City in the summer.

 

“It is normal that important players play against their former club,” said Klopp. “He is a good player. He played here for a long time. I heard no bad words about him. He is a good boy.”

Klopp also confirmed he has met former Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard this week and reiterated that the midfielder can train at the club before he is due to return to LA Galaxy in mid-January for pre-season training.

“He is a really, really good person,” said Klopp. “I enjoyed our time together and we spoke about many things.

“He doesn’t want to play next week or train next week. If he wants to train, of course, he can no question. He can use Melwood as it and then go back to LA and train and play. Then it is really far away.”