Daniel Sturridge's Liverpool future is up in the air. The striker insists he his happy at Anfield, but says it's for the club to decide whether he stays or moves on this summer.
It has been a difficult season for the England international. With Liverpool once being so dependent on him, Sturridge has had to settle for the role of a squad player this term, making just 11 starts in all competitions.
Liverpool find themselves in the remarkable situation that it might be best for all parties concerned that the world-class striker (when fit) should depart Anfield this summer.
ESPN FC assesses whether Sturridge should stay on Merseyside or if Liverpool should move him on.
SELL
He's just not on the pitch enough
Sturridge's injury problems are well documented. Though his stats at Liverpool are impressive (60 goals in 119 appearances), they could have been even better if Sturridge had been fit more often. His Liverpool career has simply been blighted by too many injuries. Since joining Liverpool from Chelsea in a €12 million switch back in January 2013, Sturridge has missed 95 matches because of injury, with his problems continuing to linger this season. His record makes it difficult to believe things will change in the future.
Sturridge is going to be pushed out even further
Even when fit, Sturridge has found himself on the fringes this season. From the early stages of preseason, it was clear manager Jurgen Klopp was to favour an interchangeable forward three of Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane. It worked a treat, with the free-scoring trio initially helping Liverpool make an unlikely push for the title. Liverpool will look to sign a forward this summer and Sturridge's role could be further diminished. The player himself could well seek a move for regular first-team football.
He might not be worth the money
Sturridge is one of Liverpool's biggest earners. It is a high price to pay for a player who is unavailable so often and now a rotation option. Though Klopp insists Liverpool's finances are healthy, he did say recently that the club "always thought it made sense to think before we spend." Liverpool could move Sturridge on and put his wages towards an elite player who can help maintain their Champions League status.
STAY
He's still got the talent
Sturridge's performances towards the end of the season show that injuries have not totally affected his game, suggesting there might be life left in his Liverpool career. Midway through the campaign, Klopp said Sturridge's pace was "not lost forever" and felt it was more of a "trust" issue with his body after some felt he had lost his sharpness. His recent performance at West Ham United proved he's still the best out-and-out striker at the Merseyside club, ahead of young Divock Origi. Klopp has favoured Firmino in a False No. 9 role this season, but the option of Sturridge also allows for a change of system, too.
His injury record improved under Klopp
There's no question injuries have massively disrupted Sturridge's season, but it has more been a case of their timing rather than frequency. Indeed, Sturridge has actually been part of the matchday squad in the Premier League on 27 occasions, but has only started seven. It was unfortunate that Sturridge had a calf injury at the same time Coutinho suffered ankle ligament damage, meaning he was unable replace the Brazilian. Then around February-March, illness and a hip strain ruled him out while Liverpool's lack of squad depth was laid bare. The hip injury recurred and he was absent for the 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at Anfield when the only forwards on the substitutes' bench were 17-year-olds Ben Woodburn and Rhian Brewster.
Since arriving at Anfield, Klopp has taken a careful approach with Sturridge, managing his number of training sessions and not rushing him back from injury. For the most part, it's been successful and, with less importance now on the player, can continue.
Liverpool need quality in abundance
Liverpool could have achieved more this season had the depth of the squad been better. When the games and absences were building up around the festive period, Klopp didn't have enough in reserve to sustain a title charge. Champions League football brings a busier schedule, and Liverpool will need quality in numbers to juggle numerous competitions. Sturridge would certainly get opportunities next season. Liverpool aren't in the position to allow world-class talent to depart the club, and it's unlikely they would receive a big fee to make Sturridge's departure worthwhile.