Sturridge was unhappy with being substituted against Tottenham on Saturday
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists he has no problems with how striker Daniel Sturridge reacted to being substituted against Tottenham.
The two sides played out a 1-1 draw, as Spurs fell seven points behind league leaders Leicester City in the title race by the end of the weekend. But the England striker was less than impressed by the Germans’ decision.
Sturridge was clearly unhappy and was avoiding eye contact with his boss, in a season where opportunities have been limited by injuries.
“I think that’s completely normal, especially with the quality of Daniel Sturridge.” Klopp tolds reporters after the match.
“He has to think ‘leave me on the pitch and I can decide the game’.
“That’s true, but in this moment we need other help in the game. We needed ways behind the line. We needed Divock’s physical strength so I changed.
“I could have changed Adam Lallana and gone with two strikers. But in my opinion, and only my opinion counts, it didn’t make sense so that’s it.”
Limited opportunities
What will have been even more frustrating for Sturridge is the fact he has made just 15 appearances this season for the Reds, although he has managed a creditable seven goals in that time – making his first appearance for England this season in their defeat to the Netherlands last Tuesday.
Christian Benteke has had a debut season to forget for Liverpool, while Divock Origi is finding his feet in his debut season, also. So Sturridge will have seen himself as the main man upfront for the Reds, as he looks to confirm his place in the England squad for Euro 2016.
