Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that he has held talks with Daniel Sturridge over his future at the club.
Sturridge spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion but managed just six appearances before his campaign was ended prematurely by injury.
Such problems have plagued the England international in recent seasons, leading to speculation that Liverpool would look to offload him this summer, but he has played a significant role in pre-season so far and Klopp has been impressed with what he has seen.
"We're not in doubt - and nobody was ever in doubt - about his quality. In this moment he looks really good to be honest. That's cool - really cool for him and cool for us," Klopp told LFC TV.
"[It's] a very important moment for him. I am in talks with him, what he feels. I don't want to make him the most physically strongest player in the squad or whatever.
"The most physically strong player in the squad cannot play football like Daniel Sturridge and he has no possibility to be that, to be the marathon man of the team, but he can be a very decisive player. It's a good moment and hopefully it will stay like that."
Sturridge, who has been with Liverpool since 2013, is entering the final year of his contract at Anfield.
Barney Corkhill
