Jurgen Klopp has hinted that Daniel Sturridge is on the brink of a return to first team action for Liverpool but stopped short of confirming his involvement against FC Bordeaux on Thursday. “That is clear”, said Klopp when talking up the prospect of training with the first-team.
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Gerrard, who played for Liverpool for over 16 years and scored 186 goals in 710 appearances for the club, joined LA Galaxy at the end of 2014-15 Premier League season.
Liverpool have improved week over week under Klopp, and though their first loss with their new manager came at home against Crystal Palace ahead of November’s global break, Liverpool were the better side for most of the night and were unfortunate to walk away with nothing.
However, convincing wins over Chelsea and Manchester City in recent weeks has given the Reds faithful reason for optimism, with Liverpool in sumptuous form in their 4-1 victory over City last Saturday.
Dejan Lovren will be one of the centre-backs to start, having regained his place following Mamadou Sakho’s knee injury.
It was only last month that former Borussia Dortmund coach Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers as manager at Anfield, but already the 48-year-old has sparked fresh optimism and instigated a new lease of life at Liverpool. My decision on him you will see tomorrow.
“Everybody knows he has very often had different [injury] problems, so we have to try to bring him into a situation where he is more robust”.
He is quoted in the Liverpool Echo from yesterday, saying: “I came here to be a leader and I still feel I can lead a team”.
“Of course the manager had a big influence on the team and everyone has that (confidence) and every one of the players has changed a little bit their opinion of football”.
“Usually in football it [home form] is not the biggest difference and it should not make a bigger point than it is”, Klopp said. “I am feeling settled and happy in the club and I think the most important thing is we are playing well”.
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On his time at Anfield so far, Lovren added: “I would say it has been ups and downs but the most important thing is the present”.
